Roll of Honor
Jeffry Kowalski
Incident
Sergeant Jeffry Kowalski succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained on February 19th, 1987, while chasing a juvenile robbery suspect in the 5000 block of Vernon Avenue.
During the pursuit he was shot once in the abdomen, causing severe internal injuries.
In the spring of 2008 Sergeant Kowalski was diagnosed with cancer in his organs that had been severely wounded by the shooting and subsequent surgeries. He passed away several months later as a result of the complications.
Sergeant Kowalski was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 21 years.
I was there. I remember when they rolled him into the O.R. He took my hand and said "My Family. Please, don't let me die." We didn't. We saved him... I only wish we had been able to do it a second time! He was a good man and I will always remember his bravery, and his concern wasn't for himself but for his family.
Robert Endicott BJC September 2nd, 2024
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-0332099F- 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.
Sergeant Kowalski gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis 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
Jeffry Kowalski served in the Army (1975â1978) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Jeffry Kowalski 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 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. Jeffry Kowalski's cause is highlighted.
How Jeffry Kowalski Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jeffry Kowalski is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jeffry Kowalski was killed by gun; unknown type.
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.
