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Verna and Kevin Sullentrup, of Washington, attended the vigil to honor their son Hermann officer Adam Sullentrup who was injured in the March 12, 2023 shooting at a Casey’s in Hermann. Sullentrup received care for his injuries in Engelwood, Colorado for nine months before returning home to Washington last November to continue his recovery.
New York City police lieutenant Benjamin Gelber spoke about his friend, Sergeant Mason Griffith, on Tuesday at the Hermann Riverfront Park. Gelber met Griffith on Facebook where the two traded patches, compared police stories, and, ultimately, became close friends. “Mason would give the shirt off his back to anyone that ever needed it,” said Gelber. “Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith, you will never be forgotten.”
Gasconade County Sheriff Scott Eiler, left, stands with Rosebud Police Chief Lynne Mantels and his children Gavin, 7, and Grace, 4, during a vigil on Tuesday evening at Hermann Riverfront Park. A one-year anniversary vigil was held in memory of Hermann Police Sergeant Mason Griffith and in honor of recovering Hermann police officer Adam Sullentrup who were both shot in an incident at a Casey's convenience store in Hermann. Officers from Hermann Police Department, the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office, and surrounding area police departments attended the vigil.
Benjamin Gelber, a lieutenant with the New York Police Department, was just one of hundreds of people who attended a vigil on the one-year anniversary of the shooting of Hermann Police Sgt. Mason Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrup.
New York City police lieutenant Benjamin Gelber spoke about his friend, Sergeant Mason Griffith, on Tuesday at the Hermann Riverfront Park. Gelber met Griffith on Facebook where the two traded patches, compared police stories, and, ultimately, became close friends. “Mason would give the shirt off his back to anyone that ever needed it,” said Gelber. “Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith, you will never be forgotten.”
Missourian Photo/Eileen Wisniowicz
Gelber was a close friend of Griffith after meeting him on Facebook. The two would later trade police patches and share stories of their days in the police force. During the vigil, Gelber shared his favorite stories of Griffith over the past 15 years of their friendship.
Gelber and Griffith would often work the midnight shift at the same time even though they were miles away. The pair would compare stories of life as a cop in small-town Missouri versus a big city such as New York. They talked about the differences in sizes of their coverage areas, how boring or exciting their shift could be at times and the size of their departments. “I told Mason we had 38,000 cops, he told me they (Hermann) had 4,” joked Gelber.
Gelber ended his speech with the words, “Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith, you will never be forgotten.”
Griffith and Sullentrup were shot on March 12, 2023 while responding to a call at Casey’s General Store in Hermann. Griffith succumbed to his injuries later at Hermann Area District Hospital, while Sullentrup was severely injured. Sullentrup underwent several months of treatment at Craig Hospital in Colorado before returning home to Washington this past November to continue his recovery.
Gasconade County Sheriff Scott Eiler, left, stands with Rosebud Police Chief Lynne Mantels and his children Gavin, 7, and Grace, 4, during a vigil on Tuesday evening at Hermann Riverfront Park. A one-year anniversary vigil was held in memory of Hermann Police Sergeant Mason Griffith and in honor of recovering Hermann police officer Adam Sullentrup who were both shot in an incident at a Casey's convenience store in Hermann. Officers from Hermann Police Department, the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office, and surrounding area police departments attended the vigil.
Missourian Photo/Eileen Wisniowicz
Sullentrup’s parents, Verna and Kevin Sullentrup, attended the vigil. They said in a statement to the Missourian that Adam continuously “impresses his medical team with his rehabilitation. He is a fighter, our miracle.”
The couple said the day will always be difficult, but having a community that shows its support for Griffith and Sullentrup has been important in their healing process. “It’s been so important being able to share hugs, tears, stories and memories with so many over this past year,” said the Sullentrups.
Verna and Kevin Sullentrup, of Washington, attended the vigil to honor their son Hermann officer Adam Sullentrup who was injured in the March 12, 2023 shooting at a Casey’s in Hermann. Sullentrup received care for his injuries in Engelwood, Colorado for nine months before returning home to Washington last November to continue his recovery.
Missourian Photo/Eileen Wisniowicz
At the one-year anniversary of the shooting, Hermann and the surrounding communities are continuing to remember and honor Griffith and Sullentrup. The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation is hosting numerous events including a Cournhole Tournament on March 23 in Rosebud. Proceeds go to the foundation which supports former/retired or fallen first responders, current first responders in times of need and young people looking to enter the first responders’ field.
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