Officer Lovely was shot and killed following the pursuit of a known mafia member. Officer Lovely and Officer Thomas Jones were looking for violations and suspects when they spotted Thomas Lowery, a former convict, in an automobile at Delmar and Sarah. Lowery was known to the offiers for his prior involvement in burglaries and disposal of stolen property. As the officers followed Lowery's car to Kingshighway and Lindell Boulevards they forced his car to the curb. Lowery locked bumpers with the police car and started shooting at the officers.

Two bullets struck Officer Lovely, one striking him in the jaw and the other in the chest and a third struck Officer Jones in the ankle. Before Lowery could make his escape he was shot in the arm by Officer Jones. Officer Lovely was taken to Barnes Hospital where he died a few minutes after his arrival.

Lowery fled the scene in a stolen car throwing away his jammed pistol and his coat laden with ammunition. Lowery was located at the home of a friend. He stated that he had carred a pistol for two months and intended to shoot any officers who stopped and questioned him. He was hanged for the murder of Officer Lovely.

Officer Lovely had only been with the agency for nine months. He was survived by his wife, Alice. Interred: Sunset Memorial Park, Affton, Missouri.