Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Pratte was shot and killed during a conflict between secessionists and Union soldiers in 1861. Five battalions of the 2nd Regiment, US Reserve Corps, Missouri Infantry Volunteers were marching through St. Louis on their return from St. Charles when a shot rang out from a second floor window on Olive Street. Another shot was simultaneously fired from the sidewalk by a man who had just been released after being arrested for yelling insults at the troops. The shots fatally wounded a Private and seriously injured a Captain, who is alleged to have given the order to return fire. Union troops began shooting, sending a volley of bullets into the crowd and several local buildings. Policeman Pratte, who was on the Recorder's Court balcony at the time, was struck in the lung by a bullet that entered the North courthouse window. He succumbed to the injury ten minutes later.
Policeman Pratte was 28 and had served with the St. Louis Police Department for almost 11 years at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and two small daughters, and he was interred in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two small daughters, and he was interred in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-4E770371- 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
165 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Pratte gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Nehum M. Pratte 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. Nehum M. Pratte's cause is highlighted.
How Nehum M. Pratte Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nehum M. Pratte is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nehum M. Pratte was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
