Springfield Hero Gets New Roof a Decade After Career-Ending Injury

SPRINGFIELD, MO – December 16, 2025 – Nearly a decade after a line-of-duty shooting left him with a severe brain injury and ended his career, retired Springfield Police Officer Aaron Pearson has received a profound and practical gift from his community: a brand-new roof for his family’s home. The project, a collaboration between local business Garrison Roofing and national manufacturer TAMKO Building Products LLC, stands as a powerful testament to a community’s enduring gratitude for a hero’s sacrifice.

When the Pearson family discovered their roof needed replacement—an expense not covered by their insurance—the Springfield community once again stepped up. This time, the effort was led by a local business owner who had carried the weight of Officer Pearson’s story for years.

A Debt of Gratitude Repaid

Jamie Garrison, the owner of Garrison Roofing & Guttering, was the driving force behind the project. He had followed Officer Pearson’s story since the tragic events of 2015 and felt a personal call to action when he learned of the family’s latest challenge.

“The whole community was made aware of Aaron's story approximately 10 years ago, and it’s always weighed really heavy on my heart,” Garrison stated. “I like to give back, and this was my opportunity to step forward and do the right thing and just take care of it for him.”

Leveraging his company’s expertise and industry connections, Garrison organized the complete roof installation. His company is a TAMKO Pro Diamond™ certified contractor, a top-tier designation within TAMKO’s contractor loyalty program, The TAMKO Edge®. This established partnership proved crucial. When Garrison reached out, the building products manufacturer did not hesitate to help, donating all the high-quality shingles needed for the project.

The collaboration highlights a powerful model of community support, where a local contractor’s initiative is amplified by a national partner’s resources. Garrison Roofing’s team handled the labor, meticulously removing the old roof and installing the new one, ensuring the family of a local hero would be protected for years to come.

A Hero's Long Road to Recovery

The need for this support stems from the night of January 26, 2015, an event that shook the Springfield community. While investigating a suspicious activity report, Officer Pearson was shot in the head. The injury was catastrophic, the bullet causing a severe traumatic brain injury. He was rushed into surgery with a grim prognosis, and his family was prepared for the worst.

Doctors initially doubted he would survive the night, let alone walk or talk again. But Officer Pearson, known for his physical fitness and competitive spirit, began to defy the odds. Bolstered by an immense wave of community prayer and support, he embarked on a long and arduous recovery. He spent months in intensive therapy, slowly regaining functions that were stolen from him in an instant. A pivotal moment came when he was able to speak to his daughter and tell her he loved her, a milestone his family had feared might never happen.

While his progress was remarkable, the injuries forced his official retirement from the police force in July 2015. Today, he continues to live with the lasting effects of his injuries. The man who perpetrated the attack was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but the consequences of that night remain a daily reality for the Pearson family.

A Community That Never Forgot

The recent roof donation is not an isolated act of kindness but a continuation of a decade-long story of support. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Springfield rallied around the Pearson family in an unprecedented way. Local businesses, from car dealerships to barber shops, organized fundraisers. Online campaigns raised significant funds for his long-term care, and the outpouring of support was so immense it surprised even the city’s police chief at the time.

This latest project demonstrates that the community’s memory is long and its gratitude is deep. It’s a sentiment echoed by the national partner in the project.

“Officer Pearson represents the strength and spirit of Springfield,” said Konner McIntire, Director of Communications and Community Relations at TAMKO. “We were proud to help Garrison Roofing provide the materials needed to complete this project for the Pearson family.”

The new roof serves as a tangible symbol of this unwavering support, a protective shield over the home of a man who once shielded his community. A video produced to document the project captures the emotional journey, showcasing neighbors, local business leaders, and volunteers coming together to make a tangible difference.

Corporate Citizenship in Action

For TAMKO, a leading independent manufacturer of residential roofing products for over 80 years, this project aligns perfectly with its long-standing principles of corporate social responsibility. The company has a well-documented history of supporting the communities where its employees live and work, with a particular focus on veterans and first responders.

This commitment is reflected in its “America’s Shingle®” branding and initiatives like “Operation Rooftop,” a partnership that provides new roofs to military members. The company has also made substantial donations to disaster relief efforts, including a $1 million contribution following the 2011 Joplin tornado. By partnering with certified local contractors like Garrison Roofing, the manufacturer can channel its resources directly to impactful, ground-level projects.

This collaborative model—pairing a national corporation’s resources with a local business’s community ties and expertise—provides a powerful template for effective corporate philanthropy. It ensures that aid is delivered efficiently and personally, reinforcing the bonds that make a community strong. For the Pearson family, it means more than just a new roof; it’s a renewed affirmation that their sacrifice has not, and will not, be forgotten.