Detective Sergeant
Mason E. Griffith
Hermann Police Dept
EOW: Mar 12, 2023
Cause: Gunfire

Officer
James Muhlbauer
Kansas City Police Dept
EOW: Feb 15, 2023
Cause: Gunfire

Corrections Officer
Kelly B. Rolando
MO Dept of Corrections
EOW: Oct 22, 2023
Cause: Vehicular

Functional Unit Manager
Jason Pulliam
MO Dept of Corrections
EOW: Oct 15, 2021
Cause: COVID-19

The names of the officers – eight who died in 2022, one who died in 2021 and two recently confirmed historical line of duty deaths – have been added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor.

Officer
William Clark Hayes
End of Watch: Jan 3, 2022
Department: U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 52
Length of Service: 24 years

On Jan. 3, 2022, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer William Clark Hayes died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty in Springfield.

Detention Sergeant
Jannell L. Visser
End of Watch: Jan. 9, 2022
Department: Miller County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 55
Length of Service: 14 years

On Jan. 9, 2022, Miller County Sheriff’s Office Detention Sergeant Janell L. Visser died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty while serving at the Miller County Adult Detention Center.

Chief
Donald Eugene Riff Jr.
End of Watch: Jan. 20, 2022
Department: Jefferson College Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 59
Length of Service: 37 years

On Jan. 20, 2022, Jefferson College Police Department Chief Donald Eugene Riffe Jr. died after an extended hospitalization as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Corporal
Benjamin Lee Cooper
End of Watch: March 8, 2022
Department: Joplin Police Department
Cause: Gunfire
Age: 46
Length of Service: 19 years

On March 8, 2022, Joplin Police Department Corporal Benjamin Lee Cooper was shot and killed by a gunman when he responded to a disturbance call at a business.

Officer
Jake Reed
End of Watch: March 9, 2022
Department: Joplin Police Department
Cause: Gunfire
Age: 27
Length of Service: 5 years

On March 9, 2022, Joplin Police Department Officer Jake Reed died after being mortally wounded by a gunman on March 8 when he responded to a disturbance call at a business

Officer
Lane A. Burns
End of Watch: March 17, 2022
Department: Bonne Terre Police Department
Cause: Gunfire
Age: 30
Length of Service: 5 years

On March 17, 2022, Bonne Terre Police Department Patrolman Lane A. Burns was shot and killed as he responded to a disturbance call at a motel. A gunman exited a hotel room and opened fire on Burns and a fellow officer.

Corporal
David P. Jones
End of Watch: April 28, 2022
Department: Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Heart attack
Age: 65
Length of Service: 45 years

On April 28, 2022, Benton County Sheriff’s Office Corporal David P. Jones suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after his shift ended. He had conducted traffic enforcement and responded to an assault call on the day he died. The previous day, he had administered first aid to a person who had been set on fire with gasoline.

Officer
Daniel Francisco Vasquez
End of Watch: July 119, 2022
Department: North Kansas City Police Department
Cause: Gunfire
Age: 32
Length of Service: 2 years

On July 19, 2022, North Kansas City Police Department Officer Daniel Francisco Vasquez was shot and killed by a motorist after making a traffic stop.

Special Agent
James Dale Holdman Jr.
End of Watch: July 25, 2021
Department: U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Cause: Gunfire (inadvertent)
Age: 54
Length of Service: 32 years

On July 25, 2021, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement Special Agent James Dale Holdman Jr. died as the result of an accidental discharge of his service weapon as he prepared to fly from Springfield to Washington, D.C.

Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths:

Marshal
Alonzo F. Hertig
End of Watch: Nov. 5, 1923
Department: City of Blue Springs
Cause: Gunfire
Age: 62

On Nov. 5, 1923, City of Blue Springs Marshal Alonzo F. Hertig died after exchanging gunfire with a criminal suspect. Hertig shot and killed the gunman but later died from a gunshot wound he had sustained in the gun battle.

Sheriff
Robert Boone Harris
End of Watch: May 17, 1865
Department: Laclede County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Asphyxiation
Age: 31
Length of Service: 4 years

On May 17, 1865, after the surrender of the Confederate Army in the Civil War, Laclede County Sheriff Robert Boone Harris was hanged by a band of Confederate guerillas traveling through Laclede County that also attacked and killed other supporters of the Union. Sheriff Harris was a Union Army veteran.

In addition to the officers who died in 2021, the names of four law enforcement officers whose historical line of duty deaths were recently confirmed were also added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor.

Corrections Officer
John Michael Bowe
End of Watch: Jan. 27, 2021
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 63
Length of Service: 16 years

Corrections Officer John Michael Bowe died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty at the Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific.

Lieutenant
Leslie Lee Lentz
End of Watch: July 1, 2021
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 63
Length of Service: 23 years

Lt. Leslie Lee Lentz died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty at the Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland.

Corrections Officer
Sonny Lee Orbin Sr.
End of Watch: July 18, 2021
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 46
Length of Service: 12 years

Corrections Officer Sonny Lee Orbin Sr. died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty at the Women’s Eastern Reception and Diagnostic Correctional Center in Vandalia.

Corrections Officer
Robert L. Welch III
End of Watch: July 22, 2021
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 59
Length of Service: 13 years

Corrections Officer Robert Lewis Welch III died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty at the Women’s Eastern Reception and Diagnostic Correctional Center in Vandalia.

Sergeant
John R. Bullard Jr.
End of Watch: Aug. 11, 2021
Department: Independence Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 64
Length of Service: 44 years

Sgt. John Richard Bullard Jr. died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Bullard was a founding member of the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation.

Corrections Officer
Dennis K. Bennett
End of Watch: Aug. 12, 2021
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections Cause: COVID-19
Age: 59
Length of Service: 20 years

Corrections Officer Dennis Keith Bennett died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking.

Officer
Blaize A. Madrid-Evans
End of Watch: Sept. 15, 2021
Department: Independence Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 22
Length of Service: 2 months

Officer Blaize Alyxander Madrid-Evans was mortally wounded when he was ambushed by a gunman as he performed a residence check for a parole violator. An organ donor, his kidney donation provided new hope to Springfield Police Officer Mark Priebe, who was severely injured in the line of duty in 2020 and required a donor kidney.

Sergeant
Matthew L. Davis
End of Watch: Sept. 28, 2021
Department: Iron County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 37
Length of Service: 13 years

Sgt. Matthew Logan Davis died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Detective
Antonio A. Valentine
End of Watch: Dec. 1, 2021
Department: St. Louis County Police Department
Cause: Vehicular
Age: 42
Length of Service: 14 years

Detective Antonio A. Valentine was fatally injured in a motor vehicle crash with a vehicle refusing to stop for other officers.

Corporal
Lonnie R. Lejeune
End of Watch: Dec. 10, 2021
Department: Missouri State Highway Patrol
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 58
Length of Service: 26 years

Cpl. Lonnie R. Lejeune died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Probation/Parole Officer
John David Luck
End of Watch: Dec. 28, 2021
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 57
Length of Service: 11 years

Probation and Parole Officer John David Luck died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths

Night Marshal
Oscar E. Hornberger
End of Watch: April 19, 1930
Department: Perryville Police Dept
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 38
Length of Service: 4 years

Night Marshal Oscar Edwin Hornberger was accidentally shot and killed by the Perryville Day Marshal while assisting in a raid on an illegal liquor making operation.

Deputy Sheriff
Chris Freeman
End of Watch: Aug. 29, 1941
Department: Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Heart Attack
Age: 64
Length of Service: 8 months

Deputy Sheriff Chris Freeman suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to a call and taking a motorist into custody.

Sheriff
Herman Sewing
End of Watch: May 24, 1947
Department: Cape Girardeau Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Motor Vehicle Crash
Age: 51
Length of Service: 1 year, 5 months

Sheriff Herman Sewing was at a motor vehicle accident scene working to free a motorist pinned in his vehicle, which was in a culvert, when he and the motorist were fatally struck by a tractor trailer.

Deputy Sheriff
Charles Lee Burns
End of Watch: Dec. 30, 1966
Department: Camden County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Vehicular
Age: 40
Length of Service:

Deputy Sheriff Charles Lee Burns was killed in a head-on vehicle collision on U.S. 54 while he and another deputy were transporting three juvenile prisoners.

Officer
Christopher R. Walsh
End of Watch: March 16, 2020
Department: Clinton Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 32
Years of Service: 3 years, 6 months

On March 16, 2020, Officer Christopher Walsh was shot and killed when he and another officer confronted an active shooter at a convenience store.

Sheriff
Andy D. Clark
End of Watch: June 3, 2020
Department: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Vehicle Crash
Age: 43
Years of Service: 22 years

Sheriff
Andy Clark was killed in a vehicle crash near Osborn, Mo. while responding to assist a deputy in an emergency situation.

Officer
Tamarris L. Bohannon
End of Watch: Aug. 30, 2020
Department: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 29
Years of Service: 3 years, 6 months

Police Officer Tamarris Bohannon passed away on Aug. 30, 2020 after succumbing to a gunshot wound he suffered the night before when he and another officer were ambushed as they responded to a shooting call in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.

Assistant Chief
Rick A. Groves
End of Watch: Oct. 16, 2020
Department: Kennett Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 69
Years of Service: 38 years

Assistant Chief
Rick Groves passed away after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service to the Kennett Police Department.

Corrections Officer
Richard Allen Wright
End of Watch: Nov. 19, 2020
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 61
Years of Service: 15 years

Corrections Officer Richard Wright died on Nov. 19, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a corrections officer. He served at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia.

Detention Officer
Dwight Eugene Willis
End of Watch: Nov. 22, 2020
Department: Greene County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 56
Years of Service: 19 years

Detention Officer Dwight Willis passed away on Nov. 22, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a detention officer.

Sergeant
Herschel Turner Jr.
End of Watch: Dec. 5, 2020
Department: Moline Acres Police Department
Cause: Vehicle Crash
Age: 54
Years of Service: 22 Years

On Dec. 5, 2020, Sergeant Herschel Turner and a Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department officer had stopped a stolen vehicle. Sergeant Turner was fatally struck by the vehicle of another officer arriving at the scene to provide assistance that swerved to avoid striking a vehicle and unintentionally struck Sergeant Turner.

Officer
Kendle Glen Blackburn
End of Watch: Dec. 28, 2020
Department: Lebanon Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 55
Years of Service: 21 Years

On Dec. 28, 2020, Lebanon Patrolman Kendle Blackburn died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service.

Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths:

Marshal
Albert Kopf
End of Watch: Sept. 3, 1907
Department: City of Pacific
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 32

City Marshal Albert Kopf, who had only been serving as acting city marshal for just 10 days, was fatally shot in the chest by a homeless man after responding to a call from a woman about a disturbance at the woman’s home. He managed to return fire and struck his assailant with one shot. Marshal Kopf succumbed to his wound three days later, on Sept. 3, 1907.

Marshal
John W. Burns
End of Watch: April 21, 1922
Department: City of Lathrop
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 55
Years of Service: 9 years

City Marshal John W. Burns was fatally shot on April 21, 1922 in a gun battle with five men who had attempted to rob him at gunpoint as he performed his duties.

Officer
William E. Griffin
End of Watch: June 10, 1923
Department: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 24
Years of Service: 4 years

Patrolman William E. Griffin was shot several times and killed on June 10, 1923 after responding to an armed robbery at the Telegraph Inn, which was located in St. Louis County.

Marshal
David W. Waymire
End of Watch: March 13, 1927
Department: City of Crane
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 62

Marshal David W. Waymire was shot as he attempted to arrest a man wanted for automobile theft two miles west of Crane. He died as a result of his wounds days later, on March 13, 1927.

Marshal
S. Dent Owen
End of Watch: Jan. 3, 1929
Department: Monroe City
Cause: Vehicle Accident
Age: 37

On Jan. 3, 1929, Marshal S. Dent Owen died from injuries he sustained in a head-on collision on Highway 36 while driving a vehicle that had been stolen and that he had recovered during an investigation.

Special Agent
James E. Tines
End of Watch: Sept. 9, 1933
Department: St. Louis – San Francisco Railway Police
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 50

On Sept. 9, 1933, Special Agent James E. Tines was fatally shot three times after being targeted by two armed robbers while he was on duty near Springfield.

Marshal
Herman E. Weirich
End of Watch: Feb. 12, 1946
Department: City of Sullivan
Cause: Car Accident
Age: 59
Years of Service: 20 years

On Feb. 12, 1946, City of Sullivan Marshal Herman E. Weirich died, four days after the vehicle he was traveling in while on duty was struck by a train.

This year, two names were added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor for those who died in the line of duty:

Chief
Wayne M. Niedenberg
EOW: June 6, 2019
Cause: Heart attack

On June 6, 2019, Lakeshire Police Department Chief Wayne M. Niedenberg was en route to his home when he came across a rollover crash. He radioed for assistance and provided aid to the crash victims. He then suffered a fatal heart attack after arriving at his home.

Officer
Michael V. Langsdorf
EOW: June 23, 2019
Cause: Gunfire

On June 23, 2019, North County Police Cooperative Officer Michael V. Langsdorf responded to investigate a call about a man attempting to pass a bad check at a Wellston business. During a struggle, the man pulled a handgun from his waistband and fatally shot Officer Langsdorf.