Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings in Lafayette County and all police stations in Missouri on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in honor of Lake Lafayette Police Department Chief Steven A. Singer.

“Chief Singer devoted 20 years of his life to protecting his community and was committed to advancing professional development among law enforcement investigators as an active member of the Missouri Investigators Association,” Governor Parson said. “We are grateful for his public service, and Teresa and I send our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”

On the evening of April 7, Chief Singer was on duty with the Lake Lafayette Police Department when he responded to a report of subjects trespassing near the dam of Lake Lafayette. When he arrived, the subjects fled on UTVs. Chief Singer searched for the subjects before clearing the call. He then suffered a fatal heart attack in the early morning hours of April 8.

Singer, 48, was a 20-year law enforcement veteran. He graduated from the University of Central Missouri's Police Academy on March 31, 2004, and in June 2004 joined the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and the Lake Lafayette Police Department as chief. He served as a deputy sheriff until June 2015.

Chief Singer had been a member of the Missouri Investigators Association since 2005 and had served as a member of the organization’s Membership Committee, Training Committee, and as vice president and president. He had also served in the Lafayette County Assessor’s Office, where he rose to the position of deputy assessor in September 2017 and continued to serve in that capacity.

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day of Chief Singer’s memorial service.