Detective Schaefer served with the Louisville Division of Police from 1969 until his death.

On May 2, 1971, at about 10 o'clock in the evening Detective Schaefer and his partner, Wilbur Hayes, confronted three suspicious men in an alley in the Smoketown neighborhood of East Louisville. While attempting to arrest the men one of them produced a gun and shot both detectives in the head and back killing them. Later Detective Hayes was found in the back seat of his unmarked police car. Detective Schaefer was discovered a block away.

Two of the three assailants were later arrested, convicted and sentenced to death for murder. However, the sentences were commuted to life sentences by the United States Supreme Court.


Detective Schaefer was survived by a child.

Detective Schaefer served with the Louisville Division of Police from 1969 until his death.

On May 2, 1971, at about 10 o'clock in the evening Detective Schaefer and his partner, Wilbur Hayes, confronted three suspicious men in an alley in the Smoketown neighborhood of East Louisville. While attempting to arrest the men one of them produced a gun and shot both detectives in the head and back killing them. Later Detective Hayes was found in the back seat of his unmarked police car. Detective Schaefer was discovered a block away.

Two of the three assailants were later arrested, convicted and sentenced to death for murder. However, the sentences were commuted to life sentences by the United States Supreme Court.


Detective Schaefer was survived by a child.