On September 29, 1927, Detective Sergeant Edward Schaaf and Detective Douglas Chamblin were killed when a building they had taken refuge in during a tornado collapsed on them.

Detective Sergeant Schaaf and Detective Chamblin were traveling eastbound on Easton Avenue as a storm developed. A tornado formed and sought cover in a United Railways car barn but opted to get under the rear of their vehicle. The front wall of the car barn collapsed and on the vehicle, pinning both officers beneath. Civilians dug the officers out from beneath the rubble and they were transported to the hospital were Sergeant Schaaf was pronounced dead. Detective Chamblin survived for fifteen days with a fractured pelvis and spine, a fractured foot and many lacerations. Fellow officers on the department provided blood transfusions in the struggle to save his life but Detective Chamblin succumbed to blood poisoning on October 14, 1927. Detective Chamblin's demise brought the tornado's death toll in St Louis to 72.

Sergeant Schaaf joined the department on June 12, 1911. He was survived by his wife and two children. Interred: Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, MO.

Detective Chamblin joined the department in 1920 and was survived by his wife and four children. Interred: Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, St Louis, MO.