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Harry W. Lemkemeier
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

Harry W. Lemkemeier

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department — St. Louis, MO
Felonious
United States flag Missouri flag
End of Watch July 26, 1922
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 103 · Column 1 · Line 16 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 175

Incident

Detective Sergeant Harry Lemkemeier was shot and killed when he and another detective stopped to question three suspicious men in front of Patrick Henry Public School at the intersection of Tenth Street and Biddle Street. One of the men was an escaped convict and the three were in the process of planning an armed robbery of a payroll courier. When Detective Sergeant Lemkemeier asked the driver who he was the suspect produced a revolver and opened fire, fatally wounding Detective Sergeant Lemkemeier. All three fled the scene and two were quickly arrested. One of the subjects was believed to have shot and killed Deputy Sheriff J. Edward Lee of the Ray County Sheriff's Office the next day. The subject was able to elude officers until October when detectives received word he was returning to St. Louis. The detectives set up a sting and attempted to arrest him as he stepped off of a streetcar. When he produced his revolver the detectives opened fire, killing him. Detective Sergeant Lemkemeier had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 15 years and was the commander of the Homicide Squad.

Survivors

He was survived by his father and two brothers, one of whom was also a detective.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Lemkemeier gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Lemkemeier.

— 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 July 26, 1922
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Harry is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Harry had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Sergeant Harry W. Lemkemeier

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department · End of Watch July 26, 1922

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E

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