On January 11, 1991, Officer Joann Liscombe, age 38, was shot shortly after approaching a suspicious person.

Officer Liscombe stopped for coffee at a 7-11 store. A customer came in and complained about a strange man walking on Old Halls Ferry. Officer Liscombe called it in and investigated. With no further radio communcation an assist car was dispatched and at about 1:25 am found Officer Liscombe laying face down in the snow near Old Hall's Ferry and Patricia Drive. Officer Liscombe had been shot in the back of the head with her .357 service revolver. Her squad car was found less than a mile from the scene. Officer Liscombe was taken to Christian Hospital, where on January 14, 1991 she died of her injuries.

The suspect was later located, tried and found guilty of Second Degree Murder. Officer Liscombe had been scheduled to testify against the suspect in a rape and kidnapping trial.

Officer Liscombe became the sixth St. Louis County police officer to give her life in the line of duty. Officer Liscombe was a sixteen year veteran of the Department. She originally joined the department as a desk clerk, then became a dispatcher in 1977 and eight years later became a police officer. She spent her entire career at the North County Precinct and recently worked to train officers. She received several letters of commendation and appreciation from the Department and the citizens she served.