Robert J. Stanze, II
Incident
Police Officer Robert Stanze was shot and killed while arresting a suspect wanted in the shooting of another officer.
Officer Stanze and another officer had handcuffed the suspect and placed him in the back of the cruiser at the intersection of Marcus Avenue and St. Louis Avenue. The suspect then drew a handgun he had hidden and opened fire on the officers while they were standing outside. Officer Stanze, who was wearing his bulletproof vest, was struck in the side, and the round entered his torso between the two panels. The second officer returned fire, wounding the suspect.
In December 2001, the suspect, who had used an alias since he was wanted for statutory rape in California, pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty and was sentenced to life.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MO-A0AB4BC6- 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 Stanze gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stanze.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert J. Stanze, II 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. Robert J. Stanze, II's cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Stanze, II Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Stanze, II is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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