Law and Public Safety

Captain James Schneider was born in Maryville, Missouri and currently resides in southwest St. Louis County with his wife and their two sons.

 

He began his career in the Affton Precinct in January 1995 as a patrolman. He served in the Tactical Operations Unit from January 1998 until his promotion to Sergeant in August 2000. As a Sergeant he served in the North County and Affton Precincts until his transfer to the Bureau of Drug Enforcement in July 2001. He was promoted to Captain in March 2012 and has served in the Affton Southwest Precinct, then in the North County Precinct, and in 2007 was moved back to Affton Southwest. He was the commander of the Intelligence Unit beginning in 2011, prior to being given his current command in the South County Precinct in March 2012.

 

Captain Schneider is Chairman of the Department's Neighborhood Policing Committee. He is responsible for the coordination of the Neighborhood Policing Committee and its role in community relations/crime prevention functions and affirms the commitment of the St. Louis County Police Department to promote close ties with and respond to the needs of the community. He is also a member of the National Tactical Officers Association, Missouri Narcotics Officers Association, and former member of the Mid-West Gang Investigators Association.

 

Captain Schneider holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University and has received over 27 awards and letters of appreciation, including three Chief's Commendations.

Lieutenant Karl Bulla was born and raised in the City of St. Louis and now resides in O'Fallon, Missouri with his wife and children. He enjoys coaching ice hockey, photography, and spending time with his family.

Lieutenant Bulla joined the Department in June 1985 and was assigned to the South County Precinct where he served in the Commercial Overlay Program(C.O.P.), and as a precinct gang officer. In April of 1994, he was transferred to the Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Unit and taught both the D.A.R.E and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program curriculum in North St. Louis County for four years. He provided these programs to the youth in both the public and private schools within the Hazelwood School District.

In May 1998 he was transferred to the City of Fenton Precinct where he both taught D.A.R.E. and was one of three officers assigned to the newly formed Bike/Parks Unit. In October 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and spent four months with Fenton as a new supervisor, then transferred in January to the North County Precinct. In 2001 he was transferred to the Metrolink Police Unit. In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and transferred to the South County precinct, where he is currently assigned as a watch commander.

For the last 15 years, Lieutenant Bulla has served on the Memorial Breakfast Committee to honor the officers from our department that gave their lives in the line of duty. He also serves as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) supervisor for the department.

Lieutenant Bulla graduated from Lutheran High South in 1982 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southeast Missouri State University in May 1985. During the last twenty-one years with the Department Lieutenant Bulla has received a Chief's Commendation, the Department's Purple Heart Award, three letters of commendation and numerous letters of citizen appreciation.

Lieutenant Leslee Tate has been employed by the St. Louis County Police Department since 1988. She began her career in the Division of Patrol assigned to the Central County Precinct as a patrol officer. She has worked as a detective in the Division of Criminal Investigation in the Bureau of Drug Enforcement and the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons. She serves as a member of the Special School District, Law Enforcement Advisory Board. In 2008 she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the Affton Southwest Precinct as a supervisor. October of 2010, she was assigned to the Bureau of Operational Support as an investigator for the Bureau of Professional Standards. In March of 2012 she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to the South County Precinct.

Lieutenant Tate received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Webster University.

Lieutenant Tate has received numerous awards, commendations and letters of appreciation.

Lieutenant Patrick Hayes came to St. Louis in 1993, and resides in Webster Groves with his wife Ann, who is also on the Police Department. Lieutenant Hayes has two children. He is currently assigned to the Division of Patrol as Watch Commander in the South County Precinct.

Lieutenant Hayes began his career in Law Enforcement with the Nebraska State Patrol in 1991. He joined the St. Louis County Police Department in April 18, 1993, and was assigned to the Affton Southwest Precinct as a Probationary Police Officer. After his first year he was assigned to the DWI Enforcement Unit. In 1995, he was assigned to the Bureau of Tactical Operations until his promotion in October 1999. As a Sergeant, he has served in the Division of Patrol in the South County Precinct, the Division of Special Operations in both the Community Action Team and the Tactical Operations Unit and the Division of Operational Support at the Police Academy as the Basic Recruit Training Supervisor. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2009.

Lieutenant Hayes has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Central Missouri State University. During his career he has received over 50 awards, commendations and letters of appreciation, including five Commendations from the Chief of Police.

Lieutenant Hayes enjoys golf, shooting and camping in addition to spending time with his family. He is the first base coach for his son's baseball team and carries costumes for his daughters dance class. He is also a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society for his Parish.

Sergeant Russ Dabbs joined the St. Louis County Police Department on January 6, 1975, and has served in numerous assignments. During his career he has received several awards including the Meritorious Service Citation. Before becoming a member of the Department he received a Bachelor's Degree in Education and an Advanced Certification/Masters in History. Prior to his completing college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during which time he served in Vietnam where he received six decorations.

Sergeant Dabbs is married and has a daughter and a son.

Sergeant Doherty was born and raised in the Buffalo, New York area. After graduation from high school, she joined the United States Army where she served nearly nine years; three years as a nuclear missile crewmember, and the following six as a member of the Military Police where she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Upon leaving the Army, she relocated to St. Louis.

Sergeant Doherty started her career with the St. Louis County Police Department in September 1994. After graduation from the police academy, she served in the Central County Precinct, the Wildwood Precinct, the South County Precinct, K-9 Unit, and the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy.

Sergeant Doherty holds an Associate's Degree from St. Leo University and is currently attending Columbia College to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Sergeant Doherty is assigned to the South County Precinct.

Sergeant John Manestar earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice in 1988 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He began his career with the St. Louis County Police Department on January 3, 1989 as a recruit at the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy Recruit Class 115. Sergeant Manestar graduated from the CMPA and was assigned to the North County Precinct as a Patrol Officer in April 1989. While assigned to the North County Precinct, Sergeant Manestar was assigned to the City of Black Jack detail from 1992 until 1997.

In 1997 Sergeant Manestar was transferred to the Affton-Southwest Precinct where he was assigned to the Village of Marlborough detail until 2002. In August 2002, Sergeant Manestar was transferred to the Bureau of Crimes against Persons as a detective in the Family Crime Unit where he investigated crimes involving domestic violence and child abuse.

After spending two years in the Family Crime Unit, Sergeant Manestar was transferred to the South County Precinct where he served as the Business Resource Officer patrolling the South County Mall corridor and also the Precinct Detective. In March 2007, Sergeant Manestar was transferred to the Bureau of Operational Support where he served as both a background investigator in the Bureau of Professional Standards and a detective in the Sex Offender Registration and Enforcement Unit. During his time in the Bureau of Professional Standards, Sergeant Manestar was responsible for conducting numerous background investigations on commissioned and non-commissioned members of the St. Louis County Police Department. While assigned to the SOREU, Sergeant Manestar and his partner achieved 100% compliance for the over 1000-registered sex offenders that reside within St. Louis County. In addition, numerous criminal charges for criminal non-compliance were issued at both the State and Federal level against non-compliant registered sex offenders.

Sergeant Manestar was promoted to the rank of Sergeant November 2010 and assigned to the South County Precinct as a Patrol Supervisor.

Sergeant Manestar has received three Chief's Commendations, 7 Awards of Excellence, and 30 letters of appreciation. Sergeant Manestar also has served on the Missouri Sex Offender Registry Task Force, which works in conjunction with the Missouri State Highway Patrol regarding legislative changes to Missouri's sex offender statutes, and he also assisted the United States Marshals Service in the apprehension of non-compliant sex offenders.

Sergeant Manestar lives in the South County area with his wife and three children. He is an avid Rams and Cardinals fan and enjoys spending his free time with his family.

Sergeant Matthew Redmond began his career with the St. Louis County Police Department on September 2, 1997. He was raised in Rhode Island and graduated from Providence College.

Sergeant Redmond served as a patrol officer in the Affton Southwest Precinct and was chosen for the Field Training Instructor program. Sergeant Redmond has been an advisor to the St. Louis County Police Explorer Program throughout his career. Sergeant Redmond worked in the Neighborhood Policing Office in the Affton Southwest County Precinct prior to promotion to Sergeant in 2007. After his promotion he was assigned to South County Precinct and City of Fenton Precinct. In 2010, Sergeant Redmond was transferred to the Division of Operational Support and was assigned as an Investigator within the Bureau of Professional Standards. He is now back in Patrol, as of 2011, serving as the Neighborhood Policing Supervisor for the South County Precinct.

Sergeant Redmond has received several Chief's Commendation, Awards of Excellence and numerous letters of appreciation from the public. The Southside Optimist Club selected Sergeant Redmond the "Officer of the Year" in 2005. He resides in St. Louis County with his wife and children.

Sergeant Trent Van Buren grew up in northern Jefferson County and graduated from Fox High School in 1989. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served on active duty until 1995.

In 1996, Sergeant Van Buren began his career with the St. Louis County Police Department and was assigned to the South County Precinct as a patrol officer. While in the South County Precinct, he had the opportunity to act as a field training instructor.

Sergeant Van Buren was transferred to the Burglary Unit in 2001 and conducted burglary investigations in the North County and Central Precincts. He was transferred in 2004 to the Homicide, Robbery and Sexual Assault Unit, where he conducted a variety of investigations related to crimes against persons. Sergeant Van Buren was also on faculty at the St. Louis University School of Medicine's Medicolegal Death Investigator Course while serving as a detective in the St. Louis County Police Homicide Unit.

Sergeant Van Buren was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2011 and assigned as a watch supervisor in the South County Precinct. He has received several awards and letters of appreciation while on the police department.

Sgt. Van Buren received an Associate Degree from Jefferson College and continued his education in Criminal Justice Administration at Columbia College. He is married and has three children. He enjoys a variety of physical and outdoor activities.

Sergeant Brad Wendling was born in the City of St. Louis and raised in South and West St. Louis County. His interest in law enforcement began in 1982 when he became a member of the St. Louis County Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorer Program. In 1989 Sergeant Wendling became a reserve police officer with the City of Chesterfield, Missouri. In 1990, he was hired as a commissioned officer by the Chesterfield Police Department serving until 1994. During his service with the Chesterfield Police Department, he was assigned to the Bureau of Uniform Patrol, where he functioned as a patrol officer and as a crime scene investigator. Sgt. Wendling also served in the Department's Bureau of Criminal Investigation as a Detective.

In 1994, Sergeant Wendling was hired by the St. Louis County Police Department and served as a patrol officer in the Affton Precinct. In 1994 and 1997 Sergeant Wendling was appointed as an investigator with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. In 1995, he was appointed as a field training instructor and was responsible for training twenty-three officers over a six-year period. In 2001, he was promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Wendling has worked as a watch commander in the South County, Affton-Southwest Precinct, Fenton Precinct and is currently assigned to the South County Precinct.

Sergeant Wendling has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from the University of Missouri St. Louis. He has two children and currently resides in Ballwin. Sergeant Wendling has received twenty-seven awards, commendations and letters of appreciation.

Officer Brett Belcher was born and raised in South St. Louis County where he currently resides with his wife and children.

Officer Belcher started his career with the St. Louis County Police Department in 2001. He started his career as a patrol officer in the South County Precinct and remained there for two years before transferring to the Valley Park Municipal Detail. Officer Belcher returned to the South County Precinct in 2005 and he was later assigned to work a permanent beat in the Lemay area. In October of 2010, Officer Belcher was reassigned to the NPO Unit.

Officer Belcher graduated from Oakville High School and went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Officer James Patterson has been with the St. Louis County Police Department since August of 2009. Prior to joining our department Officer Patterson was with the St. Louis City Police Department from 1993 to 2007. From 2007 to 2008 Officer Patterson trained members of the United States Army in IRAQ on tactics, techniques and procedures relative to police operations, interview and interrogations, and assisted in targeting known terrorist who threatened coalition forces.

Officer Patterson received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Webster University.

Officer Patterson had worked in the 9th District from 1993-1997. From 1997-2005, Officer Patterson served with the Mobile Reserve/Hostage Rescue Team with St. Louis City. In 2005 to 2007, Officer Patterson worked in the South Patrol Detective Bureau while assigned here, Officer Patterson was detached to the FBI Task Force from 01-06 to 06-06.

When Officer Patterson joined the St. Louis County Police Department, he was assigned to the South County Precinct where he served as the Business Resource Officer for the South County Mall. Officer Patterson was then assigned as the South County Precinct Detective, where he has worked diligently to clear several crimes such as:

• The New England Village Condominiums knowingly burning case, where 7 vehicles has been set on fire and caused severe property damage to the car port and the surrounding condos. The estimated damage was $450,000.
  
  
• Officer Patterson investigated a theft from a business in which an employee had stolen approximately $14,000. The employee had made restitution to the business.

Officer Patterson has received numerous awards and accommodations for his hard work.

Officer Mike Schira was born and raised in South St. Louis County, where he currently resides with his wife and son. Officer Schira had four years prior police experience before beginning his career with the St. Louis County Police Department in 2001. Officer Schira is currently assigned to the South County Precinct. He served as a patrol officer within the precinct. While in the South County Precinct, Officer Schira was reassigned as a Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO) for the Lemay Sector.

During his service as an NPO, Officer Schira has served as a member of the Department's Neighborhood Policing Committee, Precinct Neighborhood Watch and National Night Out coordinator. Officer Schira also works with Project Lemay, Neighborhood Preservation Strategy Committee and the South Chapter of the St. Louis County Police Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

Officer Schira graduated from Hancock High School in 1992 and has earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Louis Community College. During his career Officer Schira has received numerous letters of appreciation and Department awards.

Officer Schroeder was born and raised in St. Louis and now resides in South St. Louis County with his wife. Officer Schroeder graduated from CBC High School and went on to attend Southwest Missouri State University majoring in Business.

Officer Schroeder has over fifteen years of law enforcement experience; eight of which have been with the St. Louis County Police Department. During his eight years he has been assigned to the South County Precinct. Prior to becoming an NPO, Officer Schroeder served as the Business Resource Officer at South County Mall, where he helped form working partnerships between businesses and the police department. Officer Schroeder is currently assigned to the South County Precinct as a Neighborhood Policing Officer.

During his career Officer Schroeder has earned numerous awards, commendations and letters of appreciation.

Officer Kathryn Styer started with the department in August 2005 as a dispatcher in communications. In 2007 Officer Styer completed the St. Louis County Municipal Police Academy and started her career in the South County Precinct. Officer Styer was then reassigned to the Affton-Southwest Precinct where she worked as a patrol officer for the Municipal Contracts of the City of St. George and then the Village of Marlborough before being transferred to her current assignment as a Neighborhood Policing Officer (NPO) with the South County Precinct. Officer Styer handles all the South County Precinct apartment complexes that are involved in the multi-housing crime prevention program. Officer Styer also quarterly updates the internet newsletter for the precinct.

Officer Styer graduated from University of Missouri St. Louis with a Bachelor in Criminal Justice.

During her career Officer Styer has received numerous letters of appreciation and Department awards.

St. Louis County Police Department
7900 Forsyth Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63105

Emergency Calls: Call 911
Non-Emergency Reporting / General Information: (314) 889-2341
TDD: (314) 889-2345

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