On the evening of March 2, 1985, Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal James Froemsdorf was on patrol along Interstate 55 near Brewer, Missouri, when he stopped a speeding vehicle driven by Jerome Mallett. Froemsdorf, a nine-year veteran of the force and father of three, arrested Mallett on outstanding warrants, handcuffed him behind his back and seated him in the patrol car’s front passenger seat to prepare for transport to the Perry County Jail.

While Froemsdorf was driving, Mallett — who reportedly had a deformity that let him compress one hand small enough to slip from the cuffs — managed to free a hand, wrest the trooper’s .357 Magnum away and fire multiple shots. Froemsdorf, 35, was struck in the chest and neck; the bullets struck above his protective vest and proved fatal. Mallett fled, prompting a large manhunt involving dogs and aircraft; he was captured on March 5, 1985, at a residence near Desloge without further incident.

The killing of Corporal Froemsdorf ended a life and left a community searching for answers. If anyone knew Froemsdorf, Mallett’s movements that night, or saw activity along Interstate 55 on March 2–5, please share what is known.