Sikeston honors fallen officer with Officer Henry Franklin Day
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
SIKESTON, Mo., (KBSI) — Flags at City of Sikeston facilities are flying at half-staff Monday in honor of fallen Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Henry Franklin.
Franklin was killed in the line of duty Oct. 6, 2025, while responding to a mutual aid call in Mississippi County.
Officer Henry Franklin worked for Sikeston DPS for 13 years, Lieutenant Devin Wierschem shares what he believes is the importance of honoring the day and remembering what the true meaning behind protecting and serving the community really is.
“The community is why we’re here” says Lieutenant Wierschem.” “It’s what we do everything for. Everything that we do is in the betterment of the community. Whether they see it that way or not, there’s always going to be people that don’t see it that way, but at the end of the day, that’s why we’re here. That’s what we are doing this job for. And that’s what he paid the ultimate sacrifice for, for us to not only better our immediate community, but that was to better the community of an area that was a neighboring community. So it’s really good to remember that what we do not only impacts this direct community, but also the communities surrounding us.”
Franklin served with Sikeston DPS for 13 years in several roles. He previously served 10 years in the U.S. Army and 10 years in the National Guard. He was married and had four children at the time of his death.
The Sikeston City Council approved a proclamation designating Franklin’s birthday, Aug. 24, as Officer Henry Franklin Day.
The day will be observed annually in Sikeston in memory of Franklin and his service. Flags at city facilities will be lowered to half-staff each Aug. 24 to honor his sacrifice and commitment to the community.
