Detective Willie Neal Jr., 29, was killed during an undercover drug buy on the afternoon of January 29, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri. A seven-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department, Neal and his partner were meeting a suspect in the liquor store parking lot in the 5900 block of Natural Bridge Avenue at about 4:00 PM when the suspect, identified as Collis Lee, produced a firearm and pointed it at Neal. Neal’s partner fired at the suspect to protect the officer; one of those bullets struck Detective Neal, who collapsed and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The suspect, Collis Lee, then about 20 years old, fled the scene with a female companion and was located the next morning at a cousin’s house. Lee was charged with felony murder for a death that occurred during the commission of a serious crime; he later pleaded guilty and received an eight-year prison sentence for his role in the events that led to Detective Neal’s death.

If anyone knew Detective Neal, was at the scene, or has information about the case, please share what is known.