Warnow dies in car rollover

Republic police officer was also Mt. Vernon High School grad
A former officer of the Republic Police Department died Monday, Aug. 26, in a single-car accident. Justin Blaine Warnow was 34.
According to a crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Warnow was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze northward on MO 39, about four miles north of Miller, when at 11:15 a.m., his car traveled off the right side of the road, struck a utility pole and overturned. Warnow, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene by Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin.
This was the 69th fatality crash in 2024 for the MSHP’s Troop D. The vehicle sustained total damage and was towed from the scene.
According to information from his obituary, Warnow was born in Yuba City, Calif. on Jan. 17, 1990. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 2008 and attended the Law Enforcement Academy in Joplin and later served as an officer in the Republic Police Department for eight years, rising to the rank of corporal.
Brian Sells, chief of the Republic Police Department, said the department was saddened to learn of Warnow’s death.
“Justin Warnow, a former eight-year veteran of the Republic Police Department, served with distinction from August 2014 to October 2022,” he said. “Highly regarded and respected within the department and across the community, Justin’s legacy of courage, compassion, and exceptional dedication continued to inspire even after his departure from law enforcement. We are grieving this loss, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
A visitation and funeral services were held for Warnow at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church on Saturday, Aug. 31; he was later interred at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery.