Today, the Missouri State Troopers’ Association remembers Sergeant C. Dewayne Graham Jr., who was tragically killed in the line of duty on March 20, 2005.
Sergeant Graham was ambushed and fatally shot outside his residence near Van Buren in Carter County. A passing motorist discovered him near his patrol car, still in uniform. Investigators determined that Sergeant Graham had been developing leads in a fatal hit-and-run case when he was attacked.
Following an intensive investigation, authorities arrested Lance Shockley on March 23, 2005, for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Days later, on March 29, Shockley was officially charged with the murder of Sergeant Graham. After a lengthy legal process, Shockley was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to death, a ruling later upheld by the Missouri Supreme Court and denied appeal by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sergeant Graham was the 24th member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to lose his life in the line of duty. He is survived by his son, who was just four years old at the time of his passing. His dedication and sacrifice remain honored by fellow officers and the community he served.
To support the families of fallen MSHP officers, the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society (MASTERS) continues its mission. For more information, visit MASTERS.
