BRIDGETON, Mo. — Terry W. Briggs, who served as Bridgeton's mayor since 2015, has died, the city said Wednesday.
City Administrator Kevin Bookout said Briggs died unexpectedly earlier Wednesday.
Briggs was first elected mayor in 2015 and reelected in 2019 and 2023.
"Mayor Briggs will be remembered not only for his accomplishments in office but also for his kindness and genuine concern for the well-being of others. His passing is a profound loss for our community, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come," Bookout said in a statement.
In office, Mayor Briggs had quite the task before him. He fought for federal aid to clean up West Lake Landfill and surrounding Bridgeton alongside Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel of Just Moms STL.
"He played an active role in wanting his city cleaned up, rid of radioactive waste out of his city and he was a strong advocate for his constituents," Nickel told 5 On Your Side.
Chapman added, "One of the nicest people too, you know, I never saw somebody disagree with a federal agency and also keep their cool and be nice about it."
Bridgeton is dealing with the aftermath of illegally dumped World War II radioactive waste.
Mayor Briggs was known for treasuring Bridgeton and was recognized by both Congresswoman Cori Bush and Congresswoman Ann Wagner for it.
Wagner wrote on X that she was devastated to hear of Mayor Briggs passing and she was grateful to have fought for local issues with him.
Bush wrote that Briggs championed the cleanup of Westlake and always worked to improve the lives of the Bridgeton Community.
The city shared Mayor Briggs memorial details. His visitation will be Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Collier's Funeral Home. His mass will be held Monday at Holy Spirit Church; the service begins at 10 a.m.
A cause of death was not announced.