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Incident
Deputy Sherif Otto Runde was killed while searching for a prowler near the Horton Avenue and Derby Avenue.
He and another deputy were investigating a prowler call at 2230 hours. The two deputies separated while walking down the street and headed toward a man, also walking down the street. The man, who was not connected to the prowler call, thought he was about to be robbed. As Deputy Runde came closer to the man, the man pulled out a gun and shot Deputy Runde twice.
Deputy Sheriff Otto Runde died while being transported to a local hospital. The man who shot him was actually a friend of Deputy Runde’s who mistook him for a robber. Deputy Runde's friend was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Runde gave the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Runde.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Otto is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Otto is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otto is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1919, 15 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Otto was 46. Of the 6 killed feloniously at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 44.5; the middle age was 37. Otto had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Otto was 46. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Otto had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otto was 46. 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. Otto had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otto was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Otto had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 71.4% of these deaths at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 12.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Otto among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from St. Louis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
