Incident
Police Officer James Mateer was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a robbery at Grand Boulevard and Olive Street. As the two officers entered the store the suspects opened fire with their revolvers, fatally wounding Officer Mateer. Both Officer Mateer and his partner were able to return fire but did not strike the suspects. The men escaped and were never apprehended. Officer Mateer had served with the agency for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-875F9F5D- 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.
Police Officer Mateer gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mateer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James H. Mateer 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. James H. Mateer's cause is highlighted.
How James H. Mateer Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Mateer is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James H. Mateer was killed by handgun; revolver.
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.















