Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Robert Woody was shot and killed while he and his partner chased four suspects near Fair Avenue and Penrose Street. The officers were on patrol when another car, whose running board was on fire, passed them. The officers immediately gave pursuit until the vehicle finally stopped. The four occupants jumped out, holding revolvers, and fled. During the pursuit and shootout, Sergeant Woody was fatally wounded in the stomach. All of the suspects were eventually apprehended. All were wanted for armed robbery. Three, ages 21, 21, and 17, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The youngest was paroled in 1935. A few days later, he was arrested for possession of stolen items from a recent burglary. The other two were paroled in 1941 and 1942. The fourth suspect was never charged but was shot and killed three years later by police in Chicago. Sergeant Woody had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-18814805- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Woody gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Woody.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Robert E. Woody 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. Robert E. Woody's cause is highlighted.
How Robert E. Woody Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert E. Woody is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert E. Woody was killed by handgun.
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.
