St. Louis County Department of Justice Services, Missouri
End of Watch: Thursday, August 20, 1998
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: August 20, 1998
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 17 years
Correctional Officer James Hopkins was killed when the corrections van he was driving was struck by a drunk driver on I-70, near Highway A, in Lake Saint Louis, at 9:00 am.
Officer Hopkins was transporting 12 prisoners when the other vehicle crossed the median and struck the corrections van and another car. The corrections van overturned six times. Officer Hopkins, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The driver of another car, a 31-year-old woman, was also killed. A second officer and eight prisoners were injured. They were treated at a hospital and released. Four prisoners were admitted to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The 40-year-old drunk driver was convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and 14 counts of second-degree assault and sentenced to 17 years.
Officer Hopkins had served with the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services for five years. He is survived by his parents and sister.