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Hermann officer remembered as ‘the best friend anyone could ever ask for’

Published

2 years ago

March 20, 2023

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OWENSVILLE, Mo. – It was a solemn farewell for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Hermann Detective Sgt. Griffith Mason Griffith was laid to rest Sunday, one week after he and his partner were shot while trying to make an arrest at a convenience store.

Nearly 2,000 people filled the gymnasium at Owensville High School to pay tribute to Griffith, a husband and father to two sons.

The service featured music and a series of speeches from friends and former colleagues, some providing a much-needed dose of humor.

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“Anybody that Mason knows, that he was one of the most un-athletic people that you will meet in your entire life. Not the first guy you’d pick first for dodgeball,” Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan Stack said. “However, he was one of the most genuine people you’d ever meet. He was also the best friend anyone could ever ask for. He was fun to be around. The best example of a country boy.”

Investigators say Griffith and his partner, Officer Adam Sullentrup were trying to arrest suspect Kenneth Simpson on the evening of March 12. The pair located him at a Casey’s General Store in Hermann. Simpson had been wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. Both officers were shot.

Griffith was rushed to Hermann Area District Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m. that night. He was 34. Sullentrup, 31, remains in critical condition at a St. Louis-area hospital.

The service drew visitors from all across Missouri, and even some from as far as New York. Nearly 500 police and fire vehicles were present for the visitation and funeral.

Some of the speakers became emotional as they remembered Griffith and his contributions to the community.

“I love you dearly, friend. And I miss you. We’ll take it from here. Rest easy, Man,” Hermann Police Chief Marlon Walker said.

Griffith also served as the police chief of Rosebud, Missouri. The mayor of Rosebud, Shannon Grus, delivered remarks, thanking Griffith for his dedication and commitment to service.

Griffith was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Rosebud.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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