James J. Wencewicz

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department — St. Louis, MO

Cardiac

End of Watch July 17, 1978

Age 34

Tour of Duty 14 yrs 9 mo

The Vigil Panel 120 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 175

Incident

Sergeant James Wencewicz suffered a fatal heart attack following a high-speed pursuit and a struggle with a juvenile suspect in front of the Hampton Avenue Police Station. The subject had led officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended in front of the station where Sergeant Wencewicz had set up a roadblock. Sergeant Wencewicz had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for over 14 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MO-362293DF
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.
Sergeant Wencewicz gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wencewicz.

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

Agency

Department St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Location St. Louis, MO

Platform Identity stlopd.saintlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1978

Tour of Duty 14 yrs 9 mo

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Offender struggle

Sergeant James J. Wencewicz is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MO, 32 of 813 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 3.9% of this state's fallen.

At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 3 of 176 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 1.7% of this agency's fallen.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

of 176 officers

1.7% Cardiac

MO — Statewide

of 813 officers

3.9% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac