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Incident
Patrolman Norvell Ray was shot and killed when he responded to a home where a man had just shot a woman at 1423 Russell Avenue in East St Louis. As Patrolman Ray stepped onto the home's porch, he was shot in the head. He attempted to return to his patrol car but collapsed. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The 71-year-old suspect was taken into custody by other responding officers. He was convicted of Patrolman Ray's murder, sentenced to life in prison, and denied clemency in 1962.
Survivors
Patrolman Ray was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Ray served with the East St. Louis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Norvell is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Norvell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norvell 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 1958, 1 officer at East St. Louis Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 3.
In 1958, 3 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Norvell was 32. Of the 17 killed feloniously at East St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 43.
Norvell was 32. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Norvell was 32. 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.
Norvell was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 11.1% of these deaths at East St. Louis Police Department; February holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Norvell among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
