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Michael J. Finn
Agency patch
Special Officer

Michael J. Finn

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department — St. Louis, MO
Felonious
United States flag Missouri flag
End of Watch May 23, 1921
Age 46
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 41 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 175

Incident

Special Officer Michael Finn was shot and killed as he and three other officers were on patrol near Whittier and Olive Streets. The officers noticed two suspicious men and stopped to question them. As they approached, one of the men produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Finn in the forehead. The two men fled, but one was captured at the scene. The shooter was apprehended several hours later and sentenced to 25 years. Special Officer Finn had served with the St. Louis Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his wife, son, six daughters, and brother. His brother also served with the agency at the time of his death.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, six daughters, and brother.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Finn gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Finn.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Type Police Department
Location St. Louis, City of Saint Louis, MO
Platform Identity stlopd.saintlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1921
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 46
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 46. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Special Officer Michael J. Finn

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department · End of Watch May 23, 1921

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W

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