Actor Gary Sinise, best known for roles in films like Forrest Gump and his long-running portrayal of Lt. Dan in the touring production of Lt. Dan Band, has spent much of his post-Hollywood career channeling his energy into philanthropy through the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF). Founded in 2011, the organization honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families by providing support like specially adapted smart homes, entertainment events, and relief programs. One of its flagship initiatives is the R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program, which builds mortgage-free, custom-designed homes equipped with high-tech accessibility features for those with life-altering injuries.
On September 25, 2025, in the small town of New Haven, Missouri (population around 2,000), the GSF marked a milestone with a “Walls of Honor” event, where community members, first responders, and builders gathered to write messages of encouragement on the home’s structural beams before they were concealed. This heartfelt ceremony symbolized the collective support for the recipient: Hermann Police Department Officer Adam Sullentrup, a dedicated law enforcement professional whose life was forever changed by a tragic shooting in March 2023.
Sullentrup, a Missouri native who grew up in nearby Washington and enjoyed outdoor pursuits like fishing and hiking, served nearly seven years with the New Haven Police Department before joining the Hermann PD in early 2023. Just three months into his new role, on the night of March 12, 2023, he and his training officer, Sgt. Mason Griffith, responded to arrest a suspect with active warrants. As they approached, the suspect opened fire, sparking a 14-hour standoff that ended tragically. Griffith succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while Sullentrup suffered a severe head injury, along with multiple other life-altering wounds that required extensive surgery and rehabilitation. The loss of Griffith—a fellow officer and friend—compounded the family’s grief, but Sullentrup’s resilience shone through as he focused on recovery and even returned to light duty with the New Haven PD in late 2023.
The new 2,600-square-foot home in New Haven isn’t just a house—it’s a fully accessible sanctuary designed specifically for Sullentrup’s needs. Features include automated doors, voice-activated controls, widened hallways, a roll-in shower, and adaptive kitchen elements to promote independence while supporting his ongoing therapy. His wife, Michelle, who has been his steadfast partner through the ordeal, shared her relief: “It will be great for his recovery.” The family, including their young children, plans to move in next spring after final touches are completed, allowing them to focus on healing without the barriers of their previous non-accessible residence.
The event drew emotional reunions, including Sullentrup hugging childhood neighbor LuAnn Engelbrecht, and handshakes with fellow officers from Franklin and Gasconade Counties. Representatives from partners like movers, furniture providers, and builders— all coordinated by the GSF—joined in, underscoring the collaborative spirit. A larger dedication ceremony is slated for the home’s completion, promising even more celebration.
This isn’t the first Missouri first responder to benefit from the GSF. Past recipients include:
- Former Ballwin PD Officer Michael Flamion (2017): Paralyzed in a shootout; received a smart home in Ballwin.
- Former Arnold PD Officer Ryan O’Connor (2017): Shot in the head during a suspect transport; gifted an adapted home near St. Louis.
- Springfield PD Officer Mark Priebe (2020): Injured in a disturbance response; now has enhanced accessibility for family life.
Funded entirely by private donations, corporate partners, and public contributions, the foundation has built over 100 such homes nationwide since 2013. Sinise, who has received the Presidential Citizens Medal for his service, often emphasizes that these acts restore dignity and normalcy: “It’s about giving back to those who give so much.” For Sullentrup, this “gift of love” represents not just shelter, but a fresh chapter of hope in a tight-knit community rallying around one of its own.
