Retired Police Officer Sgt. Tom Smith Sr. and News Channel 20’s Randy Gardner talk about dealing with the loss of a loved one lost in the line of duty along with hardships that come about for some survivors and how our charity golf tournament came about to help with those hardships.
Detective Wayne McClelland, age 32, was killed on April 17, 1975 at approximately 12:20 AM, after initiating a traffic stop for a vehicle with no taillights on southbound Interstate 55 just south of Green Park Road. As Detective McClelland returned to his police vehicle, he was struck by a speeding vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver. The driver of the vehicle left the scene and continued southbound on Interstate 55.
Detective McClelland was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital for emergency treatment, however, at 5:00 AM, Detective McClelland became the first St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
The suspect was later located. He was tried and found guilty of Manslaughter.
Detective McClelland was born April 8, 1943. He was a nine year veteran of the Department. During his career, he served in the Divisions of Patrol and Criminal Investigation. He received several letters of commendation and appreciation from the Department and the citizens he served.
Officer James Reifschneider, age 37, was killed on April 30, 1977, at approximately 1:10 AM, after initiating a traffic stop for speeding on westbound Interstate 270 just west of Highway 67. As Officer Reifschneider stood alongside the driver’s door an approaching vehicle struck both Officer Reifschneider and the traffic violator’s vehicle. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene and continued west on Interstate 270.
Officer Reifschneider was conveyed to St. Louis County Hospital for emergency treatment, however at 3:56 AM Officer Reifschneider became the second St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
The driver was later located. He was tried and found guilty of manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.
Officer Reifschneider was born on March 28, 1940 and was a ten year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department. During his career he served in the Divisions of Patrol and Criminal Investigation as well as the Intelligence Unit. During his career he received several awards, commendation and letters of appreciation from the Department and the citizens he served.
Police Officer Robert Jordan, age 46, was shot shortly after 11:00 PM on May 15, 1981, in the 4400 block of Shreve Avenue. Off duty, he and his 11 year old daughter were confronted by an armed robber. The robber demanded Officer Jordan’s wallet, and upon opening the wallet, realized that Officer Jordan was a police officer. The robber shot Officer Jordan three times in the chest. Officer Jordan returned fire striking the robber.
Officer Jordan was conveyed to Barnes Hospital for emergency treatment, however at 12:09 AM, Officer Jordan became the third St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
The robber was later located. He was tried and found guilty of Capital Murder. He received the death penalty and was executed in 1997.
Officer Jordan was born on February 3, 1935 and was a nineteen year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department. During his career, he served in the Divisions of Patrol, Operational Support and Criminal Investigation. He received several letters of commendation and many letters of appreciation from the Department and the citizens he served.
Police Officer Kenneth Koch, age 41, died on October 26, 1984 at approximately 2:56 AM, after responding to a call for a crime in progress in the 7500 block of Genesta. Officer Koch spotted the subjects and gave foot chase. While chasing the subjects, Officer Koch collapsed to the ground. A homeowner witnessed Officer Koch’s fall and called 911.
Officer Koch was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead from a heart attack. Officer Koch became the fourth St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
Suspects in the original reported crime were arrested. They were tried and found guilty for the thwarted theft.
Officer Koch was born on January 19, 1943. He was an eighteen year veteran of the Police Department. During his career, he served in the Divisions of Patrol and Criminal Investigation. He received several letters of commendation and appreciation from the Department and the citizens he served.
Detective Larry McCormack, age 50, suffered a heart attack and died on April 14, 1989 at approximately 10:30 PM, while effecting an arrest in an undercover vice investigation in the 1400 block of Dunn Road.
Witnessing what happened, other detectives started CPR and called for an ambulance. Detective McCormack became the fifth St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
Detective McCormack was born on November 8, 1938 and was a 22 year veteran of the Department, having served in the Divisions of Patrol and Criminal Investigation. He received several letters of commendation and appreciation from the Department and the citizens he served.
Officer Joann Liscombe, age 38, was shot shortly after 1:13 AM on January 11, 1991, after approaching a suspicious person near the intersection of Patricia Ridge Drive and Old Halls Ferry Road. With no further radio communications, an assist car was dispatched to the location where Officer Liscombe was found incapacitated having been shot several times.
Officer Liscombe was taken to Christian Hospital, where on January 14, 1991, she died of her injuries. Officer Liscombe became the sixth St. Louis County police officer to give her life in the line of duty.
The suspect was later located. He was tried and found guilty of Second Degree Murder.
Officer Liscombe was born on June 27, 1952. She was a sixteen year veteran of the Department. During her career she served in the Divisions of Operational Support and Patrol. She received several letters of commendation and appreciation from the Department and the citizens she served.
Detective Willie Neal, Jr., age 29, was killed on January 29, 1997 at approximately 4:15 PM, while working with his partner on an undercover investigation in the 5900 block of Natural Bridge. Detective Neal was confronted by a subject who tried to rob him. Shots were exchanged and Detective Neal was mortally wounded.
Detective Neal became the seventh St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
The subject escaped the scene, but was later arrested and was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree.
Detective Neal was born on March 21, 1967. He was a seven year veteran of the Department. During his career, he served in the Divisions of Patrol and Criminal Investigation. He received numerous awards, commendations and letters of appreciation from the citizens he served
Police Officer Thomas Smith Jr., age 23, was killed on December 5, 1997 at 12:20 AM, while assisting another officer with an automobile accident. Officer Smith was standing on the shoulder of the highway with one of the drivers in the accident when both he and the other driver were struck and killed by an approaching van.
Officer Smith became the eighth St. Louis County police officer to give his life in the line of duty.
Officer Smith was born on March 21, 1974. He had just begun his third year as a St. Louis County police officer. He served in the Divisions of Operational Support and Patrol. He received numerous awards, commendations and many letters of thanks from citizens he served.
Sergeant Richard Weinhold, age 44, was shot on October 31, 2000 at approximately 1:47 PM, after responding to a disturbance in the 1900 block of Chambers Road. As officers began to search the residence, Sergeant Weinhold took the lead position and was ambushed by a subject firing a shotgun. Sergeant Weinhold returned fire and was pulled from the residence by his fellow officers.
Sergeant Weinhold was taken to DePaul Hospital for emergency treatment, however at 2:39 PM, Sergeant Weinhold became the ninth St. Louis County Police Officer to give his life in the line of duty.
The suspect remained barricaded in the residence until his surrender to officers from this Department’s Tactical Operations Unit. He was charged with First Degree Murder, but was ruled to be mentally incompetent to stand trial and is currently institutionalized.
Sergeant Weinhold was born on January 23, 1956. He was a thirteen year veteran of the Department. During his career, he served in the Division of Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigation and Division of Operational Support. He received several letters of commendation and appreciation from the Department and the citizens he served.
Tom Smith Jr Memorial Golf Tournament 