Trooper Ralph Charles Tatoian

Ralph Charles Tatoian

Trooper Ralph Tatoian was killed when his patrol car struck the back of a truck on I-44, west of St. Louis, Missouri, at approximately 4:30 am.

The trooper was responding to a search for a person suspected of shooting a sheriff's deputy in Gasconade County. Trooper Tatoian's patrol car slammed into the back of the tractor-trailer, which was pulled partially off of the highway to assist with a previous accident.

The suspect who had shot the sheriff's deputy was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Trooper Tatoian's death.

Trooper Tatoian had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 9.5 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.