St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Friday, April 26, 1946
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: April 26, 1946
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Died in mental hospital
Police Officer Neal Courtney was stabbed to death by a 71-year-old vagrant near a vacant lot in the 1500 block of North Broadway.
Officer Courtney had instructed the man to extinguish a small campfire that the man had set. When the man refused Officer Courtney began to put it out with his foot. The man picked up a lighted stick and struck Officer Courtney in the face. After a short pursuit, a struggle ensued and the suspect produced a small penknife. During the struggle Officer Courtney received numerous stab wounds to his face and neck and his jugular vein was severed. The suspect was apprehended by a watchman who witnessed the incident.
The suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental institution. He died in the Fulton State Mental Hospital on January 3, 1968.
Officer Courtney was survived by his wife and 6-year-old daughter. His father and brother were also members of the police department.