Tupelo Police Community Room renamed in honor of fallen officer
Ceremony marks 10th anniversary of death of Sergeant Gale Stauffer in the line of duty
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – This weekend marks a somber anniversary for Tupelo and those who protect and serve. December 23, 2023, marked 10 years since Tupelo Police Sergeant Gale Stauffer was killed while responding to a bank robbery.
Every year since that tragic day, the City of Tupelo holds a memorial honoring the memory of Sergeant Stauffer.
“Thank you for gathering here today as we commemorate the tenth anniversary of the passing of our colleague, Sergeant Gale Stauffer,” said Detective Tyler Cook, who was on Adam Shift a decade ago, and Sergeant Stauffer was one of the senior officers.
Cook said he and Sergeant Stauffer shared a common bond because of their prior military service.
“His commitment, shaped by his experiences in the military, embodied the very essence of selfless dedication, today we remember Sergeant Stauffer and honor his legacy, but let us reflect on the shared bond that unites us all into something greater than ourselves,” Cook said.
During the ceremony, Mayor Todd Jordan presented keys to the city to Stauffer’s children, Dixie and Skip.
They weren’t able to attend, but Stauffer’s mother, Debbie Brangenberg was there, to see another honor that will help keep the memory of Sergeant Stauffer alive.
The Tupelo Police Department Community Room is now renamed the Sergeant Gale Stauffer Community Room.
“Just to have that permanent remembrance of Gale and the sacrifice he made. And I’m so honored that the Tupelo Police Department would do this for us. Most people working today were still in high school or college. They did not know Gale, but a few did. He was a fun-loving guy, happy, had a wonderful sense of humor, hands-on Dad,” Brangenberg said.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed lemon crunch, Gale’s favorite dessert, in the Sergeant Gale Stauffer Community Room.
Officer Joseph Maher was also shot but made a full recovery. He is working for a nearby agency. The bank robber was gunned down later in the week during a shootout with police in Arizona.
