Detective Sergeant Charles James was shot and killed while serving a search warrant.

On January 8, 1983, Detective Sergeant Charles James and other members of the department served a search warrant on a home in the 6000 block of Grimshaw Avenue. At approxiamtely 3:15 pm, Sergeant James and Captain West broke open the front door of the residence when occupants refused admittance. As Sergeant James entered the front door he was shot twice in the head. Several more shots were exchanged between police and the suspects but no one else was hit. The suspects were taken into custody. Sergeant James was taken to St. Louis University Hospital where he died at 11:00 am the next morning.  

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for 50 years.

Sergeant James became a police officer in 1978 rising to the rank of sergeant and then detective sergeant. He was survived by three children. Interred: Washington Park Cemetery