Police Officer John Oberkramer was struck and killed by a vehicle while manning a roadblock.

On December 24, 1978, three youths, all younger than 16 years old, that had taken a car left at their parents house and ran a red light about 3:40 am at Manchester and Clarkson Road. A high-speed chase by police from Ellisville, Ballwin and Manchester followed. Officer Oberkramer setup a roadblock in the eastbound lanes of Manchester. The fleeing car swerved across the median and into the leftbound lane to avoid the roadblock and struck Officer Oberkramer.

Officer Oberkramer served with the Des Peres Police Department for just over 2 1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and four sons. Resurrection Cemetery, Affton, St. Louis County, MO.