James Stephen Hopkins II
Incident
Correctional Officer James Hopkins was killed when the corrections van he was driving was struck by a drunk driver on I-70, near Highway A, in Lake Saint Louis, at 9:00 am.
Officer Hopkins was transporting 12 prisoners when the other vehicle crossed the median and struck the corrections van and another car. The corrections van overturned six times. Officer Hopkins, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The driver of another car, a 31-year-old woman, was also killed. A second officer and eight prisoners were injured. They were treated at a hospital and released. Four prisoners were admitted to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The 40-year-old drunk driver was convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and 14 counts of second-degree assault and sentenced to 17 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-E610627D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Hopkins gave the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Hopkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer James Stephen Hopkins II 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Stephen Hopkins II's cause is highlighted.
How James Stephen Hopkins II Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Stephen Hopkins II is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Stephen Hopkins II was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from St. Louis County Department of Justice Services are honored on badge.nw.