St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch Friday, December 15, 1972
Add to My HeroesHarold Erwin Warnecke
Police Officer Harold Warnecke was shot and killed by two robbery suspects outside of a Kroger grocery store at 4312 North Grand Boulevard.
The two men had just robbed the store of $1,000 and were fleeing at approximately 8 a.m. when Officer Warnecke pulled up to the store to do a business check, not knowing a robbery had just been committed. As he was getting out of his patrol car the store manager pointed to the suspects and Officer Warnecke called out to them. One of the men approached Officer Warnecke and second man circled around and shot him in the back three times. Before fleeing, the suspects stole Officer Warnecke's watch, wallet, and revolver. Both men were apprehended a short time later.
Officer Warnecke was a WWII US Navy veteran and was the sole survivor of a U.S. Navy gun crew on a U.S. Merchant Marine ship that was hit by a shell. Officer Warnecke had been with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 27 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 60
- Tour 27 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsOfficer Warnecke,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy during World War II as an Armed Guard Sailor. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
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