Sergeant Jeffry Kowalski died October 1, 2008 at his home in Texas. Jeff was shot in February 1987 while chasing two men. One of the men shot him with a pistol striking him in the abdomen. Officer Kowalski was 29 at the time and was hospitalized for two months. He suffered serious injuries to his pancreas, liver and stomach. The bullet also hit his inferior vena cava, the vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body to his heart. Doctors reconnected his stomach and intestines.

He was able to return to work many months later in September of 1988 and was promoted to sergeant but continued to suffer the effects of the devastating injuries. He eventually retired but continued to have serious health complications from the wound and eventually developed cancer in the pancreas. An oncologist said early in 2008 that Jeff’s cancer developed in the areas where he was shot and seemed to follow the path of the bullet. There was no family history or other risk factors for pancreatic cancer. On June 23, 2009 the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners recognized Sergeant Kowalski's death to be in the line-of-duty.

Sgt Kowalski served the St Louis Police Department for 21 years. Sgt. Kowalski served 4 years in the US Army followed by 6 years in the Army Reserve. He was survived by his wife, Kimberly, and daughter, Madison. Interred: With Honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.