Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch Friday, February 14, 1930
Add to My HeroesBernard H. Menker
Special Agent Bernard Menker was shot and killed in East St. Louis, Illinois, while attempting to question three men trespassing on railroad property near the approach to the municipal bridge.
One of the men produced a handgun and shot Special Agent Menker. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and shot the subject, who then fled on foot. Detective Menker's body was located approximately one our later. Responding officers followed a blood trail in the snow and arrested the wounded man at his home three blocks away.
The man died from his wounds from his wounds several days later, but identified the two men who were with him before dying. Both men were arrested.
Special Agent Menker had served with the Terminal Railroad Police Department for five years.
Bio
- Age 47
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Illinois
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsBernard Menker was my Grandfather; however, I never knew him. He was the father of my father. Bernard died when my father, Lee, was only nine months old. As a result of his death, my father and his brothers and one sister were placed in an orphanage because my grandmother could not afford to raise them. My Grandfather and grandmother were childhood sweethearts, growing up one block apart. They attended St. John Nepomuk church at 11th and Lafayette. He would have been proud of how his children turned out - all became fine citizens. I would have loved to have known my Grandfather, sit and talk with him, to know about his life. I joined the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and retired after 20 years of service (1972 to 1992) as a Detective in the Bomb and Arson Section.
Det. Gary Knight (ret)
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
August 22, 2020
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