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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Goericke was shot and killed while on a decoy assignment on Fee Fee Road, near Craig Road. He and another deputy were assigned to act as decoys in an area plagued by nighttime robberies along a lonely stretch of highway. As they were driving down the highway, another car approached them. The occupants of the other car stopped and got out and flagged down the Deputies car. As the Deputies stopped, the suspects identified themselves as police officers and ordered the Deputies out of their car. As Deputy Goericke and his partner got out of their car, they drew their weapons. A gun battle ensued and Deputy Goericke was wounded. The gun battle continued and Deputy Goericke was able to shoot and kill his assailant. Deputy Goericke died at the scene soon after.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Goericke served with the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Goericke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 1 officer at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1930, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 33. Of the 6 killed feloniously at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 44.5; the middle age was 37.
William was 33. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
William was 33. 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.
William was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 71.4% of these deaths at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Thursdays: 28.6%.
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from St. Louis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
