Incident
Sergeant Adolph Kreidler was shot and killed when he attempted to intervene in a robbery on a city bus at Grand Boulevard and Osceola Street. He had just gotten off duty and was still wearing his badge when another man got on and sat down. When the bus conductor attempted to collect the man's fare the man produced a revolver and quietly held the conductor at gunpoint. Sergeant Kreidler overhead the transaction and decided to try to overpower the man in order to not endanger the other bus riders. As he attempted to disarm the suspect the man shot him in the leg and head. The suspect jumped from the bus and fled but was later arrested. The 30-year-old man confessed and was sentenced to life in prison. The suspect died in prison of pneumonia on November 7, 1937.
Survivors
Sergeant Kreidler had been with the agency for 31 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-C4001A61- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Adolph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
31 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Kreidler gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Kreidler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Adolph Kreidler is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Adolph Kreidler's cause is highlighted.
How Adolph Kreidler Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Adolph Kreidler is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Adolph Kreidler was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















