Kansas City Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Sunday, September 23, 1962
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 7 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 23, 1962
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Richard Chatburn was accidentally shot and killed while investigating a possible prowler at the Northwest Motorcycle shop at 2200 Truman Road.
While checking the back door of the business, the owner who mistook Patrolman Chatburn for a prowler, shot through the back door with a 12 gauge shotgun, hitting Officer Chatburn in the chest and killing him.
Patrolman Chatburn was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Kansas City Police Department for 19 months. He was survived by his wife and three month old daughter.