Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Orville Rosenstengel was shot and killed after arresting a man for creating a disturbance. He was off duty, eating dinner when he received reports about a man who drove into a private driveway and began to create a disturbance. Officer Rosenstengel put on his police cap and badge but left his gun and went to the scene. He arrested the man and drove him to Vandalia City Hall in the suspect's car. When he ordered the man out of the car, the suspect grabbed a hidden gun and shot him in the chest, killing him instantly. The suspect, a 58-year-old parole violator, had recently been released from an Illinois prison after serving 30 years for armed robbery and kidnapping. He violated his parole when he left the state. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On January 21, 1978, he was still in prison when the Kansas City Times published his story about life in prison. Officer Rosenstengel had served with the Vandalia Police Department for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, two grandchildren, his mother, and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-A90BF14F- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Policeman Rosenstengel gave the Vandalia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vandalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Rosenstengel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman Orville E. Rosenstengel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Vandalia Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Orville E. Rosenstengel's cause is highlighted.
How Orville E. Rosenstengel Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orville E. Rosenstengel is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orville E. Rosenstengel was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vandalia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
