Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Leo Kraeger was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on warrants for discharging a firearm. Officer Kraeger had gone to the man's workplace at 1019 S Third Street and was speaking to the supervisor when he observed the man approaching. He ordered the man to stop but the suspect did not obey and walked into a storeroom. When Officer Kraeger followed the man into the room the suspect fired three shots, striking him in the head. The 23-year-old suspect, who said he was so drunk he did not remember the shooting, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. On December 31, 1940, he was pardoned by Governor Lloyd C. Stark.
Survivors
Officer Kraeger was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-9688E300- 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 Kraeger served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kraeger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Leo Kraeger 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. Leo Kraeger's cause is highlighted.
How Leo Kraeger Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1940
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leo Kraeger is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leo Kraeger was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
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.
