Six Mo. officers who died in 2008 honored

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Six police officers who died in the line of duty last year will be honored at the 22nd annual Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial Service.

Ceremonies start at 10 a.m. today and will include the adding of the officers' names to the law enforcement memorial on the north side of the Capitol Building.

Those who will be honored include Sgt. William Biggs Jr. and officer Thomas Ballman of the Kirksville Police Department. The officers were among five people shot to death at Kirkwood City Hall by a disgruntled citizen.

Also being honored are St. Charles officer Grant Jansen; officers Jeffrey Kowalski and Steven Sheldon of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; and Sgt. Michael King, University City Police.

A candlelight vigil was held at 8 p.m. Friday on the north side of the Capitol.

On the Net

* Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial: www.dps.mo.gov/Home/LEmemorial.htm

Information from: Daily Capital News, http://www.newstribune.com