Tower Topics ~ Spring 2003

Back to Table of Contents

Officers honored for June 10 heroics

To Father Kenneth Reichert, the law enforcement officers who saved his life last June 10 were already heroes. But on Nov. 21 he was on hand as it was made official.

Father Kenneth and Abbot Gregory Polan attended the annual Northwest Missouri Law Enforcement Awards for Valor banquet, at which 11 officers, who were the first to enter the monastery the day a gunman shot four monks and then turned the gun on himself, were awarded the prestigious Gold Award for Valor. They were selected for the award by their fellow officers.

All 11 officers pose at the banquet with Abbot Gregory and Fr. Kenneth.

“I think it was important for us to be here to honor them,” Father Kenneth said. “They are our friends. I’m glad we have them.”

The gold award, which “recognizes a person who has performed an exceptionally valorous act, far and above that which is normally expected, with great personal danger being present,” was the highlight of an evening during which more than 35 officers were honored for distinguished efforts.

The officers honored for their work June 10 included: Sergeant James McDonald, Sergeant Sheldon Lyon, Corporal Rodney J. Helfers, Corporal Mark Ott, Corporal Thomas Sakaguchi, Trooper Travis Williams and Trooper Brian Raney of the Missouri State Highway Patrol; Sheriff Ben Espey, Deputy Lieutenant Randy Houston and Deputy Sergeant David Ray of the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department; and Lieutenant Ron Christian of the Maryville Department of Public Safety.

Sheriff Ben Espey receives his Gold Award.

The officers were the first on the scene that morning, responding to numerous 911 calls from the abbey. They “entered the monastery not knowing if there was still an active threat and before they knew the suspect had taken his own life,” said KQTV news anchor John Bassford in presenting the awards. “They conducted search and rescue efforts, as well as providing security for emergency medical personnel, all while not knowing if there was still a threat to their own lives.”

The gunman, Lloyd Jeffress, 71, entered the monastery’s first floor, where he killed Father Philip Schuster and Brother Damian Larson, and critically wounded Father Kenneth and Father Norbert Schappler before committing suicide in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The quick response of officers and paramedics most likely saved the lives of Father Kenneth and Father Norbert.

The banquet was an emotional first reunion for Father Kenneth and most of the officers. The priest was greeted by a round of applause, and posed with the officers for a group photograph.

Sgt. Sheldon Lyon of the Missouri State
Highway Patrol was one of 11 officers
honored for their work June .

“Seeing him brings a well of emotion,” said Sergeant Lyon. “It’s good to see that he is back at his work and smiling. But it also reminds me of that day. When I turned that corner in the hallway and saw (Father Philip) lying there…as a Baptist it was more disturbing than you can imagine, knowing that someone would kill a priest, the most holy of human beings.”

Deputy Ray said he will never forget the tragedy of June 10, but added that he will also treasure the friendships that developed in its aftermath.

“The monks of the abbey have really gone out of their way to make us feel a part of their community,” he said. “There is a special bond between us.”

Trooper Williams admitted there were a hundred things going through his mind as he approached the abbey that day, “but the monks were so calm. They inspired me to remain calm and do my job.”

Abbot Gregory said the work of law enforcement was as good as the gold on their awards.

“We'll never forget their heroic efforts and tremendous work with us that day,” he said. He noted that when officers saw the .30-caliber bullet casings on the floor nest to Father Philip's body, they knew the assailant had an assault rifle that would render their bulletproof vests useless.

“Yet they went right in,” he said.

Back to Table of Contents