Armstrong, Jack

Southern Railroad Police Department Railroad Police
End of Watch: Thursday, April 25, 1968

Biographical Info
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: 115

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, April 25, 1968
Incident Location: Illinois
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

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 1400 hours. He was attacked by four men who were on a crime spree following the murder of 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 Sergeant Armstrong's service weapon and 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. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons and late son.

From the ODMP