Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Officer Fred Benz was shot and killed after he and several other officers responded to a burglary call at 1424 Amherst Terrace in the Twelfth District. While the other officers searched the house the suspect jumped from a window, landing next to Officer Benz. When the officer ordered the man to stop the man opened fire, striking Officer Benz in the abdomen. Other officers returned fire, wounding the man before taking him into custody. The suspect, charged with murder, was tried and acquitted. His trial for burglary ended in a mistrial. He was convicted of possession of stolen items from the burglary and sentenced to two years.
Survivors
Officer Benz had been with the agency for 21 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-3DF72996- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Special Officer Benz gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 21 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, Special Officer Benz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer Fred W. Benz 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. Fred W. Benz's cause is highlighted.
How Fred W. Benz Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred W. Benz is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred W. Benz 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.
