East St. Louis Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Saturday, January 25, 1958
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 79
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 25, 1958
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
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.
Patrolman Ray was survived by his wife and two daughters.