Patrick Stapleton
Agency patch
Police Officer

Patrick Stapleton

Felonious
End of Watch May 26, 1922
Age 42
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
The Vigil Panel 43 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Patrick Stapleton was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a prowler call at 1421 Papin Street. As the officers searched the residence Officer, Stapleton looked outside and observed a man crouching between two sheds. He fired a shot at the man, who then ran away. As the officers chased him, they fired again, at which time the man returned fire, striking Officer Stapleton in the chest. The man was apprehended but claimed he didn't know he was firing at officers and was acquitted of the charges. Officer Stapleton had been with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and 14-year-old daughter. His wife was appointed as a female detective after his death.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and 14-year-old daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnc53n15e2cvw90bk7y6
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Patrick. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Stapleton gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Stapleton.

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

Agency

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 26, 1922
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
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

Patrick was 42. 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. Patrick had served 18 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%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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, Patrick among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Patrick Stapleton

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

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W

↑