Officer Gary Stroud was shot and killed while investigating a report of a man walking around with a shotgun.

On October 24, 1977, Officer Stroud responded on a call of a man armed with a shotgun and encountered witnesses that told him that the man had walked down the street a block and turned the corner. Officer Stroud drove down the street and as he turned the corner the suspect ran up to the patrol car and fired the shotgun through the windshield, striking him in the chest. The suspect was captured minutes later after he crashed his car into a utility pole.

The suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life.

Officer Stroud served with the St. Charles Police Department for 18 months. He is survived by his wife, Judith, son, and two daughters. Interred: St. Charles Memorial Gardens.