Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Willie Neal was shot and killed while performing an undercover drug buy at approximately 4:00 pm. Officer Neal and his partner had agreed to meet the suspect in a liquor store parking lot in the 5900 block of Natural Bridge Avenue at 4:00 pm. During the exchange, the man produced a gun and pointed it at Officer Neal. Officer Nea's partner shot at the suspect but inadvertently struck Officer Neal. The offender involved with the drug buy was later arrested and charged with felony murder. He plead guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Officer Neal had served with the St. Louis County Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-7BCA6B4D- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Willie. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Neal gave the St. Louis County Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Neal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Willie Neal, Jr. is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 237 of 813 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 29.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1.8 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At St. Louis County Police Department, 3 of 11 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 27.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willie Neal, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Willie Neal, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Willie Neal, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from St. Louis County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
