DET./SGT. Mason Griffith
Officer: Hermann Police Department, Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Date: 3/12/2023 Location: Hermann, MO FACTORS (1,2,9,15,19,21)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Kenneth Lee Simpson
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, since 2004 Simpson has arrests for weapons possession and assault, and pled guilty to “2nd degree property damage, tampering with a vehicle, 4th degree assault, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.” / Yes, Simpson had outstanding warrants and “has allegedly been on the run from authorities since April 2022.”
Mental Illness: Unknown.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Simpson had prior drug related arrests. / None stated.
Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/35
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At some time before 9:30 p.m. on March 12, 2023, Hermann Police Officer (PO) Adam Sullentrup and Detective Sergeant (D/Sgt.) Mason Griffith responded to a 911 call of a disturbance at a convenience store. Upon arrival at the store the officers encountered Kenneth Lee Simpson, a wanted fugitive with multiple active warrants, and attempted to arrest him.
Actions taken by subject toward police: Simpson pulled out a concealed gun and shot the officers, fatally striking D/Sgt. Griffith in the head and seriously wounding PO Sullentrup with a shot to the chest. After incapacitating both officers, Simpson fled the scene and hid in a nearby house.
Reactions by the police: Police tracked Simpson down, surrounded the house and after a 12-hour standoff they filled it up with tear gas to force him out. The tactical unit arrested Simpson without further bloodshed by 2 p.m.
How murdered? D/Sgt. Griffith was shot at close range by a fugitive while handling a disturbance call.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? When encountering a subject creating a disturbance and definitely if that someone is a known fugitive, officers should order them to “show their hands” from a position of tactical advantage.
Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? It has not been specified whether the officers even had a chance to unholster their weapons and return fire.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Simpson was arrested the next day and has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree assault on a special victim and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Miscellaneous: A St. Louis County judge issued a warrant for Simpson’s arrest in August when he failed to show up in court in a drug possession case. Simpson should have been in jail awaiting trial or in prison serving time for his latest conviction.
