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James Stephen Hopkins II
Incident
Correctional Officer James Hopkins was killed when the corrections van he was driving was struck by a drunk driver on I-70, near Highway A, in Lake Saint Louis, at 9:00 am.
Officer Hopkins was transporting 12 prisoners when the other vehicle crossed the median and struck the corrections van and another car. The corrections van overturned six times. Officer Hopkins, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The driver of another car, a 31-year-old woman, was also killed. A second officer and eight prisoners were injured. They were treated at a hospital and released. Four prisoners were admitted to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The 40-year-old drunk driver was convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and 14 counts of second-degree assault and sentenced to 17 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Hopkins gave the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Hopkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of St. Louis County Department of Justice Services remembered here.
James is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 3 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 33. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. 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. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 6.5% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at St. Louis County Department of Justice Services. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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