Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Sidney Sears was shot and killed after he and two special officers responded to a disturbance call near Fourteenth Street and Papin Street. When they arrived Lieutenant Sears remained in the patrol car as the two officers went inside. After hearing shots fired the officers ran out of the house and located Lieutenant Sears in the vehicle with six gunshot wounds. The suspect was apprehended nearby and stated he had shot Lieutenant Sears when he ordered him to stop. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to be hanged. He was granted a new trial and sentenced to life in 1928. He was paroled in 1941. Lieutenant Sears had been with the agency for 34 years and was survived by his wife and son. He was a nationally recognized marksman.
Survivors
Lieutenant Sears had been with the agency for 34 years and was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-986FBE53- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
34 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Sears gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 34 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, Lieutenant Sears.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Sidney E. Sears 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. Sidney E. Sears's cause is highlighted.
How Sidney E. Sears Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1941
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sidney E. Sears is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sidney E. Sears was killed by handgun; .32 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.
