Police Officer Wilbert J. Downey

Wilbert J. Downey

Police Officer Wilbert Downey was shot and killed at the scene of a gas station robbery at 8341 Olive Boulevard.

He interrupted five men attempting a gas station robbery. When Officer Downey entered the gas station he tried to subdue the subject armed with a .22 caliber weapon. The man shot Officer Downey once before gaining control of Officer Downey's service weapon and then killed him.

The man was apprehended the next day in St. Louis and charged with murder. He was sentenced to death, however, the sentence was appealed and overturned. The other four suspects were apprehended and sentenced to time in prison.

Officer Downey was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.