Community unites to raise support for fallen Sikeston DPS Officer’s family
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – The Southeast Missouri community is mourning today after the loss of Sikeston DPS Officer Henry Franklin. Franklin was tragically shot in the line of duty on the afternoon of Monday October 6, 2025.
He leaves behind a wife and four children who need their communities’ support now more than ever.
Franklin served his community as a Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer for more than 12 years. He was part of Sikeston’s Tactical Team and the handler for k9 Odin. He stood as an example of what it means to protect and serve.
Jessica Griswell is the sister and best friend of Henrys wife, Leah Franklin. She has help put together several means of support for Henrys family.
“Community support means everything” says Griswell. “We have just been overwhelmed with an outpouring of love at this time, and you know, no amount of money can bring henry back, but every dollar just helps lift the burden off of them at this time.”
The death of Officer Franklin serves as a painful reminder of what it truly means to wear a badge, putting their lives on the line every day, true hero’s in blue.
Griswell has put together a meal train with specific days you can pick to bring food to the family and a gofund me that goes directly to Leah.
“We’ve created a couple of means to donate to the family. One being the gofund me account and I sat down with Leah’s family, to create this and all the accounts are linked directly to the widow. So there is no middleman with the finances” says Griswell.
Griswell shares that there is a memorial fund at Focus Bank of Sikeston that can be donated to as well.
“Local Focus Bank, which is Leah’s work family, has opened up a memorial fund too, for locals to go and be able to donate to the family as well” says Griswell.
Franklin served his community for more than a decade, now through that same community unity and support is needed for the Franklin family.
“We know that she’s going to make it through this, and we’re going to carry her there every step of the way and we know that gods got them” says Griswell.
To sign up for the Franklin Family Meal Train: Meal Train for The Franklin Family
Gofund Me information for Franklin Family: Fundraiser by Jessica Griswell : Honoring Officer Henry Franklin and his family
Memorial Fund donations go to Focus Bank of Sikeston, Mo. located at · (573) 472-2002
