Sergeant Jack R. Armstrong

Jack R. Armstrong

Sergeant Jack Armstrong was shot and killed while patrolling the company's rail yards at 14th Street and Walnut Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, at approximately 2:00 pm.

He was attacked by four men who were on a crime spree following the murder of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sergeant Armstrong was transported to St. Mary's Hospital after the shooting where he succumbed to his wounds two hours later. The suspects stole his service weapon and two months later used it to murder Officer Henry Peeler of the Chicago Police Department.

Sergeant Armstrong had served with the Southern Railroad Police Department for 22 years and was a US Army veteran of World War II where he received three overseas service bars, four bronze starts, the American Theater Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and his mother; he was preceded in death by one son.

Sergeant Armstrong is buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory and Mausoleum in Belleville, Illinois.