Missouri | Man sentenced to death for killing Hermann officer

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. – A judge issued a death sentence Thursday for Kenneth Simpson, the man who shot two police officers in Hermann and killed one in 2023.

Simpson was convicted of first-degree murder and eight other felonies in the shooting and death of Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith and the shooting of Officer Adam Sullentrup on March 12, 2023.

On Thursday, in a packed courtroom, prosecutors introduced evidence that showed Simpson bragging about the shooting on video calls, where he claimed law enforcement officers were no match for him.

After that, prosecutors pleaded with the judge for the maximum sentence.

Thursday’s hearing also included impact statements from Sullentrup and his family, along with statement from Griffith’s family.

The defense argued Simpson was high on meth at the time of the killing and did not deserve the death penalty.

Simpson spoke in a final statement to the family that he was sorry and this will weigh on him for the rest of his life.

Under Missouri law, death sentences are subject to an extensive appeals process that can take years before an execution is carried out. An execution date has not yet been determined.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway shared the following statement:

“Today, Judge Hellmann acted on the jury’s verdict and delivered a death sentence. While this sentence ensures the perpetrator is held accountable for their heinous crimes, nothing will ever replace the tragic loss of life. Our office honors the sacrifice of Detective Sgt. Griffith and commends to the highest regard Officer Sullentrup for putting his life on the line to protect his community. We continue to pray for their families and loved ones whose lives remain ever changed. I am proud of our team’s diligent efforts and meticulous preparation in this case, and we remain committed to supporting all law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to keep Missouri safe.”

The last execution carried out in Missouri was that of Lance Shockley, which took place on October 14, 2025. Shockley was executed by lethal injection for the 2005 murder of a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper.

Source: fox2now.com, Joey Schneider, Kamryn Mendoza, June 18, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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