Southern Railway Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch Thursday, April 25, 1968
Add to My HeroesJack R. Armstrong
Sergeant Jack Armstrong was shot and killed while patrolling the company's rail yards at 14th Street and Walnut Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, at approximately 2:00 pm.
He was attacked by four men who were on a crime spree following the murder of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Sergeant Armstrong was transported to St. Mary's Hospital after the shooting where he succumbed to his wounds two hours later. The subjects stole his service revolver and used it two months later to murder Patrolman Henry Peeler of the Chicago Police Department.
Sergeant Armstrong was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII where he received three Overseas Service Bars, four Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He had served with the Southern Railroad Police Department for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and his mother; he was preceded in death by one son.
Sergeant Armstrong is buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory and Mausoleum in Belleville, Illinois.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour 22 years
- Badge 115
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Illinois
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsThank you for your service, both military as well as police, and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
June 5, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Henke Ruge
Burnsville Police Department, MN
EOW: February 18, 2024