Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Neal Courtney was stabbed to death by a 71-year-old vagrant near a vacant lot in the 1500 block of North Broadway. Officer Courtney had instructed the man to extinguish a small campfire that the man had set. When the man refused Officer Courtney began to put it out with his foot. The man picked up a lighted stick and struck Officer Courtney in the face. After a short pursuit, a struggle ensued and the suspect produced a small penknife. During the struggle Officer Courtney received numerous stab wounds to his face and neck and his jugular vein was severed. The suspect was apprehended by a watchman who witnessed the incident. The suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental institution. He died in the Fulton State Mental Hospital on January 3, 1968. Officer Courtney was survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter. His father and brother were also members of the police department.
Survivors
Officer Courtney was survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-EDF83103- 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.
Police Officer Courtney gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Courtney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Neal R. Courtney 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Neal R. Courtney's cause is highlighted.
How Neal R. Courtney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Neal R. Courtney is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Neal R. Courtney was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
