St. Louis County Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch Saturday, April 30, 1977
Add to My HeroesJames R. Reifschneider
Police Officer James Reifschneider was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on I-270 one mile west of Lindbergh Boulevard.
He was standing by the driver's side door of a stalled vehicle talking with the driver when a 19-year-old youth struck him and dragged him 150 feet down the roadway. The suspect fled the scene but was found passed out in the back seat of his vehicle parked in front of his residence a short time later. It was later discovered he had crashed into a parked vehicle near his residence before he got home.
The man admitted he had been drinking a lot and did not remember the crash. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison. Three months later a judge ruled his sentence was too harsh and reduced it to two years.
Officer Reifschneider had served with the St. Louis County Police Department for 16 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 16 years
- Badge 430
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
- Offender Sentenced to 2 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 33 ReflectionsAnother year has passed. I still pray often for you and your family. I know you are very happy with your son Michael who has followed in your footsteps. R.I.P. brother and I hope to meet you again one day.
Ret. Officer Dave Gudermuth
St. Louis County P. D.
April 30, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024