Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Friday, February 14, 1930
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 14, 1930
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Special Agent Bernard Menker was shot and killed in East St. Louis, Illinois, while attempting to question three men trespassing on railroad property near the approach to the municipal bridge.
One of the men produced a handgun and shot Special Agent Menker. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and shot the subject, who then fled on foot. Detective Menker's body was located approximately one our later. Responding officers followed a blood trail in the snow and arrested the wounded man at his home three blocks away.
The man died from his wounds from his wounds several days later, but identified the two men who were with him before dying. Both men were arrested.
Special Agent Menker had served with the Terminal Railroad Police Department for five years.