Police Officer John L. Summers, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri

Police Officer John L. Summers

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Thursday, April 5, 1973

John L. Summers

Officer John Summers was shot and killed while chasing a suspect who had been shooting at his wife and setting her house on fire.

Officer Summers and other officers had responded to the home on Westminster. Officer Summers chased the suspect across the street at which time several shots were fired. The suspect was taken into custody by other officers. After being unable to locate Officer Summers, it was realized that he never cleared back to duty and a search was begun for him. He was found in the back yard of a home with a bullet wound in which he bled to death from.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He received an additional 40 years for arson.

Officer Summers was the first black police officer to be killed in the line of duty with his agency. He had been employed with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for eight years and is survived by his wife and three sons.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 8 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle
Offender Sentenced to life

Most Recent Reflection

View all 15 Reflections

My name is Jarret Summers and this brave man was my father. Unfortunately, before I got a chance to even really know him, he was snatched away from me. I don't even think I was two years old. All I can do is go by what people told me about him, but reading all your reflections tell me what a great man he was. Thank you for all the kind words. If any of you were friends with him and have pictures of him, I would love it if you could share them with me.

Thanks!

Jarret

Jarret Summers
My Father

September 21, 2016