St. Louis community members and officers gathered for the 39th Annual Memorial Breakfast, a solemn event honoring the 167 St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers who lost their lives while serving the city from 1863 to 2024. According to the SLMPD’s official website, the tribute, hosted by the department and the St. Louis Police Foundation, brought together hundreds to pay their respects to the fallen.
At this year's breakfast, retired Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence (Larry) O'Toole—now Executive Director of The BackStoppers, Inc.—delivered the keynote address. The gathering provided an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the sacrifices made by SLMPD officers throughout the department’s history. The event was funded by philanthropists Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield, long-time supporters of the foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the police department.
The St. Louis Police Foundation's partnership with the Sinquefields reflects an ongoing community effort to assist law enforcement and their families, especially during times of loss. The foundation continues to provide resources ranging from financial support to equipment donations to help strengthen the capacity and well-being of the SLMPD.
