Missouri to honor fallen law enforcement officers at memorial services

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Ceremonies will be held May 1 and 2 at the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial to honor officers who died in the line of duty.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday at the memorial on North Capitol Drive. A memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Officials said the names of Bernie Police Lt. Eddie A. Mays and Sikeston Department of Public Safety K-9 Officer Henry Franklin, both of whom died in 2025, have been added to the Wall of Honor. The memorial now includes 754 fallen Missouri officers.

Authorities said Mays suffered a medical emergency while arresting a suspect June 5, 2025. Franklin was shot and killed Oct. 6, 2025, while assisting with an arrest warrant.

Gov. Mike Kehoe and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway are expected to speak at Saturday’s service. Families of fallen officers and law enforcement personnel from across the state will attend.

The Saturday ceremony will be livestreamed on the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Facebook page.