Cape Girardeau Police Department remembers first officer killed in line of duty

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The Cape Girardeau Police Department is honoring the memory of its first officer killed in the line of duty, 109 years after his death.

Patrolman Albert Demortiers was fatally shot Oct. 27, 1917, while walking his patrol route near Broadway and Middle Street.

According to the department, Demortiers encountered an intoxicated man at a local saloon around 11 p.m.

Witnesses reported that Demortiers was shot twice with a .32-caliber revolver, once in the right temple and once in the left side of his neck.

Demortiers collapsed in the street and was taken to St. Francis Hospital, where he died before receiving treatment.

Police arrested a suspect at a residence near Themis and Ellis streets following the shooting.

The man was later sentenced to 18 years in prison but died after serving seven years.

Demortiers was 39 years old and had served with the department for approximately six months.

He was survived by his wife, an 11-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son.

His funeral was held at St. Vincent’s Church, and he was buried at Fairmont Cemetery.

Demortiers was the first Cape Girardeau police officer killed in the line of duty since the department was established in 1859.

The department marked the anniversary Tuesday, Oct. 27, recognizing Demortiers’ service and sacrifice.