Ste. Genevieve police officer injured in Molotov cocktail attack expected to return to full duty today

STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve Police Officer who was seriously burned nearly 10 months ago when a man threw a Molotov cocktail at him is back on the force.

In his report for this week’s board of aldermen meeting, Police Chief Eric Bennett said Officer Pete Unverferth has been released for full duty and was expected to report today for training.

The incident brought out a huge amount of support for Pete with fund raisers, yard signs and this electronic billboard.

At the time, Chief Bennett said the incident happened when Officer Unverferth responded to a peace disturbance call in the 200 block of St. Jude Drive around 1 a.m. after a neighbor had called 9-1-1 to report someone revving the engine of a motorcycle.

The suspect 34-year-old Tyson Paul Heise faces charges of  first degree assault and armed criminal action.

His trial has been set for April 27, 2022 before Judge Jerel Lee Poor II in St. Francois County.