Francis J. Graham
Agency patch
Patrolman

Francis J. Graham

University City Police Department — University City, MO
Felonious
End of Watch February 22, 1976
Age 42
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 174
The Vigil Panel 116 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Francis Graham was shot and killed, and his partner was seriously wounded when they responded to a domestic disturbance involving a man and his wife on the 7400 block of Canton Avenue. The man opened fire with a shotgun as the officers were talking to his wife inside their home. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life on July 30th, 1977. He was later paroled. Patrolman Graham had served with the University City Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-16CCE1C7
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.
Patrolman Graham gave the University City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the University City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Graham.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location University City, MO
Platform Identity upd.stlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 22, 1976
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 42
Badge Number 174
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Sentenced to life; paroled

Patrolman Francis J. Graham 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 University City Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

University City Police Department
4
of 4 officers
100% Felonious
MO — Statewide
516
of 813 officers
63.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis J. Graham's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Francis J. Graham Compares

Age at End of Watch
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life; paroled

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis J. Graham is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis J. Graham was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location