Gregory J. Erson
Agency patch
Detective

Gregory J. Erson

Felonious
End of Watch June 19, 1980
Age 29
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 948
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Gregory Erson was shot and killed during a robbery attempt as he worked an undercover prostitution detail on The Stroll. Detective Erson had made six arrests that evening and was continuing the operation when the robbery took place. Other officers found Detective Erson slumped over the steering wheel of his car in a vacant parking lot at Whittier Street and Westminster Place. His gun, badge, and wallet had been stolen. Two suspects were ultimately convicted of capital murder. One of the men was later murdered in prison and the second was sentenced to life in prison. Detective Erson was assigned to the Third District Bureau and had been with the agency for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Erson gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Erson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location St. Louis, City of Saint Louis, MO
Platform Identity stlopd.saintlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 19, 1980
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 948
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Gregory is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Gregory was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gregory had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Gregory among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Gregory J. Erson

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department · End of Watch June 19, 1980

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E

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