Gregory J. Erson
Agency patch
Detective

Gregory J. Erson

Felonious
End of Watch June 19, 1980
Age 29
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 948
The Vigil Panel 123 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Gregory Erson was shot and killed during a robbery attempt as he worked an undercover prostitution detail on The Stroll. Detective Erson had made six arrests that evening and was continuing the operation when the robbery took place. Other officers found Detective Erson slumped over the steering wheel of his car in a vacant parking lot at Whittier Street and Westminster Place. His gun, badge, and wallet had been stolen. Two suspects were ultimately convicted of capital murder. One of the men was later murdered in prison and the second was sentenced to life in prison. Detective Erson was assigned to the Third District Bureau and had been with the agency for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-87C1802A
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.
Detective Erson gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Erson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location St. Louis, MO
Platform Identity stlopd.saintlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 19, 1980
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 948
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Detective Gregory J. Erson 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. 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.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
112
of 176 officers
63.6% Felonious
MO — Statewide
516
of 813 officers
63.5% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gregory J. Erson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Gregory J. Erson Compares

Age at Death
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gregory J. Erson is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gregory J. Erson was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location