Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Alva Mead was shot and killed by a juvenile while attempting to arrest him for burglary. The boy had stolen $12 and two guns from a tavern at about 2:30 am. As two officers approached him in an alley, the boy ran from them. Patrolman Mead, who was in a patrol car, intercepted the boy near the Electric Theater at Seventh Street and Edmont Street. The two exchanged gunshots, and Patrolman Mead was fatally wounded; however, he was able to wound the boy. On November 15th, 1944, the 16-year-old boy was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years in prison. Patrolman Mead had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for only 17 days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two young daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-9AC19BF3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Patrolman Mead served with the St. Joseph Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Alva N. Mead is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At St. Joseph Police Department, 7 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alva N. Mead's cause is highlighted.
How Alva N. Mead Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alva N. Mead is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alva N. Mead was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
