Officer Charles Printz was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man in an alley.

The suspect had repeatedly harassed and threatened his sisters, who received a larger portion of inheritance then he did. During one of the episodes of harassment Officer Printz was called to the scene at Jackson and Marion where the suspect was fantatical and waving a pistol. Officer Printz struggled with the suspect who fired a shot into Officer Printz' left chest. Although mortally wounded Officer Printz struck the suspect with his baton before he fell to the ground. It is unknown if the suspect was ever captured.

Officer Printz, born in Germany, was a veteran of the Union Army in the Civil War where he was wounded. Officer Printz was with the agency for nearly 7 years, joining the force in August 1872. He was survived by his wife and several children including an unborn child. Interred: Gatewood Gardens Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.