Henry Franklin Memorial Kids SWAT Challenge aims to strengthen community and wellness

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – An upcoming SWAT kids challenge aims to bring the community together while also honoring a fallen hero.

The Henry Franklin Memorial Kids SWAT Challenge will take place on October 10, 2026 starting at 10:00 and 11:00 am, including a community bicycle ride followed by a kids swat challenge, and free lunch.

Sergeant Tyler Rowe, is the Public Information’s Officer for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety he shares the community bicycle ride and the kids SWAT challenge were previously two separate events, but this year they partnered with the Sikeston Parks and Rec to put both Bike with the Blue and Kids Swat Challenge events together, making a bigger event while also honoring fallen officer Henry Franklin.

Rowe shares the events are designed to build a stronger community through support and wellness.

“The community coming together, healthy lifestyle, and just getting to know, who our officers are and who our community members are” says Rowe. “It’s our special operations groups is going to take care of the kids swat challenge, and then the parks is going to help with the bike with the blue.”

The bike ride will start at 10:30 am, and riders should meet at the St. Francis Xavier church parking lot at 10:00 am.

The kids SWAT challenge will start at 11:00 am at the Sikeston Complex.

The event is completely free, but participants are asked to RSVP to tquillman@sikeston.org.

A raffle for participants 12 and younger will also take place.