Incident
Police Officer Kenneth Koch suffered a fatal heart attack during a foot pursuit of two suspects in the 7500 block of Genesta Street in Affton at approximately 3:00 am. He was responding to reports of several individuals breaking into cars. As he arrived, he observed two men removing a stereo from a vehicle. The men ran toward River Des Peres Boulevard with Officer Koch in pursuit. A witness who saw Officer Koch collapse called for assistance, and he was transported to a local hospital. One subject was arrested and charged with several charges related to the larceny. Officer Koch was a United States Army veteran and had served with the St. Louis County Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-F8D899FE- 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.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Koch gave the St. Louis County Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Kenneth A. Koch served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Kenneth A. Koch is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 32 of 813 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 3.9% of this state's fallen.
At St. Louis County Police Department, 2 of 11 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 18.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth A. Koch's cause is highlighted.
How Kenneth A. Koch Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth A. Koch is highlighted in Oct.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from St. Louis County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









