ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - First responders will stand by Officer Michael Langsdorf's casket until he is buried to honor the North County Police Cooperative officer who was killed, Sunday afternoon. The suspect confessed to killing Langsdorf after trying to cash a bad check at a market in Wellston.
At least one officer has been on watch, staying by Langsdorf's side since his body was transported from the St. Louis County Medical Examiner's Office to the Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel in Olivette, Monday. He was escorted by a motorcade of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances.
Officers standing by the body of officer Mike Langsdorf this morning. The latest in @kmoxnews at 7:11ct. pic.twitter.com/JlAhePtkJL
— Brian Kelly (@Brpkelly)
June 25, 2019 Police vehicles from University City, Brentwood, Creve Coeur and other municipalities in the St. Louis area have been parked outside the funeral home, showing up to be part of the 24-hour watch. As of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, there were at least three officers with the 40-year-old officer who had 17 years of police experience.
Ast. North County Police Cooperative chief Ron Martin says this is just one way fellow officers are supporting Langsdorf and his family. Other officers have been with Langsdorf's partents, fiance and two children, also on 24-hour watch, since Langsdorf's death at 4:30 p.m., Sunday.
The officers will be there until the funeral, which has not yet been announced.
Remembering slain officer Mike Langsdorf. In @kmoxnews at 6. pic.twitter.com/lGeEac5GXn
— Brian Kelly (@Brpkelly)
June 25, 2019 Someone left this note outside Mike Langsdorf’s car at North County Police Cooperative’s headquarters. Hear more in @kmoxnews at 7:30. pic.twitter.com/1iqCzAdAdD
— Brian Kelly (@Brpkelly)
June 25, 2019 Also in front of the North County Police Cooperative headquarters, there is a cruiser decorated with black ribbon, flowers, balloons, a picture of Langsdorf and a note that says, "Thank you for your service .... and your life."
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt says he wants Langsdorf's family to know he was a hero and released a statement:
"Brave men and women put on the badge and uniform and leave their families and friends to protect their communities, not knowing what they might face while on duty. Officer Michael Langsdorf made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow citizens, and we will never be able to repay Officer Langsdorf or his family for his last full measure of devotion to his community."
Langsdorf was killed Sunday afternoon in Wellston after responding to a call about someone trying to pass a bad check at a small market.
Bonette Kymbrelle Meeks, 26, was charged Monday with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. Meeks is jailed without bond and does not yet have a listed attorney.
Assistant Police Chief Ron Martin said at a news conference that Meeks was unknown to his department but had several convictions in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area. He didn't elaborate but said Meeks had an "extensive, extensive criminal history, and violent."
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