MISSION STATEMENT

AJ has been a member of the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team since 2016. He joined the team to put his logistical planning and peer support skills to use. AJ had the opportunity to see firsthand the effects this team had on his family and the agency of his daughter’s biological father when he died in 2015. AJ has been a peace officer since 2009 and is currently the Chief Deputy at The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office located in Plattsburg, Missouri. AJ was designated as the Assistant Team Leader in late 2017. Even through the unfortunate circumstance, AJ loves being able to help his brothers and sisters through the grief process as well as meet and work with the families to ensure every part of this tragic experience is exactly how they envision it. AJ runs the team’s largest fundraiser and plays a large role in keeping our team financially sound. AJ says the hardest part of being on the team is seeing the spouse or children of a fallen hero struggle. Even though he has seen it many times, he struggles every time he hears taps and the last call for a fallen hero.

Bill has been a member of the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team since 2017. He joined the team to put his knowledge of drill and ceremony skills to use. Bill was previously in the United States Marine Corps, where he spent two years stationed at Marine Barracks 8th & I in Washington, DC. There he was assigned to a rifle company and performed countless numbers of graveside honors at Arlington National Cemetery for fallen Marines. He has been with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office since 2010 and is currently a Sergeant for the Sheriff's Office patrol division and is the team leader for the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Sgt. Talley loves using his skills and knowledge to honor our fallen officers, by ensuring that they receive the highest honors for their ultimate sacrifice to their communities. Bill says the hardest part of being on the team is maintaining “military bearing” while seeing the fallen officers' family and fellow officers’ struggle emotionally during the services. Even though he’s heard it more times than he cares to count, Sgt. Talley says it’s hard on him every time he hears taps played.

Shannon has been a member of the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance team since 2019. She joined the team because she feels very strongly that there are no words that can be said to the families of the fallen that can adequately convey the sense of sorrow, understanding and support one law enforcement officer has for another the way full honors do. Shannon feels that being fully supported by the “sea of blue” is the starting point for the family’s hearts to heal. The overwhelming presence of uniformed officers show the family, both blood and blue, that their loved one did not stand alone, and neither shall they. It is a visual reminder that their loved one mattered, and that there are many officers who will always be there, whatever their needs may be. She considers it a great honor to be part of the extremely detailed planning process, so that those closest to the fallen officer can concentrate on grieving, rallying around the family and beginning the healing process. Shannon has been an Agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation for 18 years.

Jon has had the honor of being a member of the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team since 2018. He joined the team as a dedicated member who is eager to provide final honors for his brothers and sisters in blue. Jon believes that one of the most important aspects of this team is to assist the family and department throughout the grieving process. He makes countless efforts to ensure he is readily available for the family’s needs and continually educates himself on available resources to pass on to the family. One area of the process that he finds especially meaningful is the tribute of the bagpipe and bugle and, of course, the final call is one of the most difficult moments of the entire tribute. Jon understands the true duty of service and believes that being a member of this team is a way of giving back to heroes and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Jon was once tasked with trying to get Kenny G to perform at a service and if he would have had an additional day, he probably would have pulled it off.

Ric has been a member of the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance team since 2019.  He joined the team because he wanted to assist families in remembering their loved one.  Ric is honored to be part of the planning process where the team so thoughtfully and meticulously puts together the arrangements to honor our fallen community servants, who are true HEROS.  He wants the family members or loved ones to know that their fallen HERO made a difference, and that their HERO was a valued member of our law enforcement family.  He also feels it is important for them to know that, they themselves will never be without their extended law enforcement family.  Ric has been with the Missouri Department of Conservation for 20 years and currently serves as a Lieutenant in the Northeast Region.

Jessica recently joined the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team following the loss of 3 officers near her hometown.  As a former officer, she wanted to give back to agencies in their greatest time of need. After attending two of the funerals, she decided to join the Funeral Team as a great start to giving back. She said "last call" is what affects her most during a LODD funeral. "Even though I know the officer is gone, there is something about them not answering the radio that just hits me differently." Jessica has worked for Joplin and Lincoln University PD’s but left LE full time when she became a mom but plans to go back as her kiddos get older. In her spare time, she enjoys training horses and barrel racing.