Matt Blunt, Governor

Mark James, Director

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



For more information, please contact:

Terri Durdaller

Communication Director

(573) 751-4819



State and Local Agencies Commended in Investigation of Sgt. Graham’s Death



JEFFERSON CITY, April 1, 2005—The Department of Public Safety commends the nearly 40 agencies that have given their time and made available their resources in the homicide investigation of Sgt. Carl Graham, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop G.



Director Mark James said Tuesday’s arrest of Lance Shockley, charged with Graham’s death, should be considered an important step in bringing justice to the Graham family.



“The speed and thoroughness of the agencies that came together to work on this case is commendable,” James said. “It truly shows that in an emergency or tragic situation, no means will be too extreme to bring justice and peace to the citizens of our state.”



James stressed that the investigation into the homicide is not over, and the arrest of Shockley is merely an accusation, not a conviction, meaning Shockley and possibly others will stand trial. James urges anyone who has information regarding the death of Sgt. Graham or about the individual(s) responsible for the murder to report it to the Southeast Missouri Crime Stoppers Hotline at (573) 322-0500.



Gov. Matt Blunt praised the work of all law enforcement involved and hopes Tuesday’s arrest will help bring closure to the family and friends of Sgt. Graham.



“In the midst of these unfortunate times Missouri can be proud of the dedicated public employees who have made law enforcement their career as they sacrifice their own lives to bring justice to victims and their families,” Blunt said. I want to express my deepest sympathy to everyone touched by the brutal death of Sgt. Graham.”



t least 37 agencies have assisted in the case including six state agencies, six federal agencies and 25 local agencies. Resources utilized in the investigation include a mobile command unit supplied by the Department of Public Safety, a mobile crime scene van supplied by the Highway Patrol, Bell-Ranger helicopters from the St. Louis County Police and the Highway Patrol, and canine units from the Missouri Department of Corrections, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Highway Patrol.



State Agencies: Department of Conservation, Department of Transportation, State Park Rangers, State Water Patrol, Department of Corrections (37th District Juvenile Office), and Missouri State Highway Patrol (Troops C, D, E, F, G, I; Division of Drug and Crime Control investigators; Crime Laboratory personnel).



Local Agencies: Carter County Sheriff, Howell County Sheriff, Butler County Sheriff, Reynolds County Sheriff, Shannon County Sheriff, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff, Wayne County Sheriff, Ripley County Sheriff, Iron County Sheriff, Bollinger County Sheriff, West Plains Police, Van Buren Police, Doniphan Police, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, St. Louis County Police, Carter County PA Office, Dunklin County PA Office, Ripley County PA Office, Carter County Coroner’s Office, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, South Central Drug Task Force, River Hills Drug Task Force, Batesville, Arkansas, Police, and White County, Arkansas, Sheriff.



Federal Agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Jefferson City Office, Cape Girardeau Office, Springfield Office, St. Louis Office, and Kansas City Office); United States Secret Service; United States Park Services; United States Forest Service; United States Attorney’s Offices (Cape Girardeau, St. Louis); and Federal Bureau of Investigation.