Police Officer Henry DeKeersgieter

Henry DeKeersgieter

Police Officer Henry DeKeersgieter succumbed to a stab wound received ten days earlier after arresting a man for auto theft.

He had observed the man attempting to steal the car on LaSalle Street and took him into custody. He walked the suspect to a call box at Grattan and Chouteau. As he called the incident in the man suddenly produced a knife and cut Officer DeKeersgieter's face before fleeing. Officer DeKeersgieter was able to shoot at the suspect before collapsing.

Officer DeKeersgieter was treated at a hospital and released after several days. However, as a result of the wound he contracted pneumonia and died at his home. The suspect was later apprehended in Tennessee and charged with murder.

Officer DeKeersgieter had been with the agency for 18 years and was survived by his wife and two children.