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Alfred Noah Eaves
Incident
Location: Illinois Incident Date: Wednesday, December 26, 1917 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Acquitted
Watchman Alfred Eaves was shot and killed near the Relay Depot in East St. Louis, Illinois, as he and two other officers attempted to arrest two men who were stealing items from a boxcar.
The officers were concealed in a shanty to observe the area following a recent rash of thefts. They watched two railroad switchmen enter a boxcar and remove property from inside. As the employees attempted to leave the officers confronted them. One of the men opened fire, killing Watchman Eaves.
One of the officers was able to return fire and wounded one of the men. Both subjects were both charged with Watchman Eaves' murder but were acquitted at trial.
Watchman Eaves was survived by his parents.
Survivors
Watchman Eaves was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Watchman Eaves served with the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Watchman Eaves.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Alfred is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alfred 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 1917, 1 officer at Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1917, 10 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alfred was 33. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 47; the middle age was 41.
Alfred was 33. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Alfred 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.
Alfred 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
December holds 20% of these deaths at Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 20%.
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% 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
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Alfred among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
