One year later: Sikeston remembers fallen officer Henry Franklin on one year anniversary

SIKESTON, Mo. – One year after Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Henry Franklin was killed in the line of duty, his fellow officers are remembering his service and the impact he left behind.

Franklin was fatally shot Oct. 6, 2025, while assisting a neighboring law enforcement agency.

Franklin served with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety for more than 12 years. He was also a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran and was part of the department’s tactical team. Franklin leaves behind a wife and four children.

A memorial bench at Sikeston Veterans Park now serves as one place where community members can remember Franklin and honor his service.

“It’s a tough day for a lot of us,” said Sgt. Tyler Rowe, Public Information Officer for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. “It’s a year of remembering, memorializing, and being grateful for the time that we had with him.”

Rowe said the memorial bench is especially meaningful because of Franklin’s military background.

“To have it out here, where it honors our veterans and our armed service, our armed forces members, it’s nice,” Rowe said.

The bench was donated by the American Legion, located at Veterans Park of Sikeston and gives officers and community members a place to reflect on Franklin’s life and service.

Rowe said the department has other memorials throughout Sikeston, but having places in the community where people can go and remember Franklin is important.

“We should all be grateful for the sacrifice that he made doing what he loved in the servitude of others” Rowe said.

As the first anniversary of Franklin’s death arrives, his fellow officers say the loss is still difficult, but they hope continuing to remember his life and service will help his family, friends and department move forward.

Franklin’s name and legacy remain part of the Sikeston community one year after his death.