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Incident
Police Officer James Reifschneider was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on I-270 one mile west of Lindbergh Boulevard. He was standing by the driver's side door of a stalled vehicle talking with the driver when a 19-year-old youth struck him and dragged him 150 feet down the roadway. The suspect fled the scene but was found passed out in the back seat of his vehicle parked in front of his residence a short time later. It was later discovered he had crashed into a parked vehicle near his residence before he got home. The man admitted he had been drinking a lot and did not remember the crash. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison. Three months later a judge ruled his sentence was too harsh and reduced it to two years. Officer Reifschneider had served with the St. Louis County Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Reifschneider gave the St. Louis County Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Reifschneider.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Louis County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1977, 1 officer at St. Louis County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 4 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 37. Of the 6 killed feloniously at St. Louis County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 42.5; the middle age was 37.5. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
James was 37. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. 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. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 33.3% of these deaths at St. Louis County Police Department; October holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at St. Louis County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.3% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Louis County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Wayne Bradford McClelland
Apr 17, 1975
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James R. Reifschneider
Apr 30, 1977
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Robert T. Jordan
May 16, 1981
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Kenneth A. Koch
Oct 26, 1984
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Lawrence J. McCormack
Apr 14, 1989
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JoAnn Virginia Liscombe
Jan 14, 1991
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Willie Neal, Jr.
Jan 29, 1997
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Thomas G. Smith, Jr.
Dec 5, 1997
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Richard Eric Weinhold
Oct 31, 2000
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Blake Curtis Snyder
Oct 6, 2016
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Antonio Antoine Valentine, Sr.
Dec 1, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from St. Louis County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
