Roll of Honor
Bernard H. Menker
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Special Agent Bernard Menker was shot and killed in East St. Louis, Illinois, while attempting to question three men trespassing on railroad property near the approach to the municipal bridge.
One of the men produced a handgun and shot Special Agent Menker. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and shot the subject, who then fled on foot. Detective Menker's body was located approximately one our later. Responding officers followed a blood trail in the snow and arrested the wounded man at his home three blocks away.
The man died from his wounds from his wounds several days later, but identified the two men who were with him before dying. Both men were arrested.
Special Agent Menker had served with the Terminal Railroad Police Department for five years.
Bernard Menker was my Grandfather; however, I never knew him. He was the father of my father. Bernard died when my father, Lee, was only nine months old. As a result of his death, my father and his brothers and one sister were placed in an orphanage because my grandmother could not afford to raise them. My Grandfather and grandmother were childhood sweethearts, growing up one block apart. They attended St. John Nepomuk church at 11th and Lafayette. He would have been proud of how his children turned out - all became fine citizens. I would have loved to have known my Grandfather, sit and talk with him, to know about his life. I joined the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and retired after 20 years of service (1972 to 1992) as a Detective in the Bomb and Arson Section.
Det. Gary Knight (ret) St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department August 22nd, 2020
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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.
Special Agent Menker gave the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Menker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Bernard H. Menker 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard H. Menker's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard H. Menker Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard H. Menker is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard H. Menker was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
