Sergeant John Gilmore was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest.

Officer Gilmore had chased the two men after they were caught by a homeowner as they burglarized a home at the corner of Broadway and Jefferson Street. The suspects were able to initially evade capture, however, Officer Gilmore and several other officers believed they knew their identities and went to their rooming house at the corner of 13th Street and Chambers Street.

After waiting outside for several hours, Officer Gilmore told the other officers that he would stay at the scene while the other officers went to get breakfast. After the other officers left he went inside of the home's rear kitchen to wait. The men came home a short time later and immediately attacked Officer Gilmore, beating him with slungshots. Officer Gilmore was able to retreat outside where he continued to violently struggle with the men. One of the men pulled out a pistol and shot Officer Gilmore in the left lower jaw, the bullet traveling up into his mouth, before they both fled. Officer Gilmore was taken to his home where his survival was noted as doubtful. Sergeant Gilmore died from his injuries on Christmas eve approximately two weeks later.

Sergeant Gilmore funeral took place at his home on Ninth Street between between Benton and Broadway with approximately 150 officers including the Chief of Police in attendance. Interred: Bellefontaine Cemetery, St Louis, MO.