ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) hosted its annual Memorial Breakfast today, honoring those lost in the line of duty. 

Families, supporters and friends remembered about 167 officers, ranging in years from 1863 to 2024. This is also the 39th time this event has been held by SLMPD.

Colonel Lawrence O’Tooler, a former lieutenant who now serves as the executive director of Backstoppers, was the event’s keynote speaker.

The sister of fallen St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer David Lee also attended the breakfast. Danielle Williams shared with FOX 2 the legacy Lee left for the community he served.

“I didn’t know how much of a help (Lee) was until the day he left this Earth,” Williams said. “People walk up to me just to tell me stories on how he always would make sure everyone was okay.” 

SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy noted the event’s turnout, with many attending the breakfast to pay their respect for the lives lost.

“Locally, in St. Louis, to have this breakfast, supporters and all the families came together (and) never forgot the sacrifice,” Tracy said.