Harrisonville Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Friday, April 21, 1972
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 250
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 21, 1972
Weapon Used: Rifle; M-1
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Patrolman Donald Marler and Patrolman Francis Wirt were shot and killed when they were ambushed by a suspect while walking their beat on the northwest corner of the town square.
The suspect approached them and opened fire with a M-1 rifle. Both officers fell to the ground wounded. As they pleaded for their lives, the suspect shot and killed them both. The suspect then shot and killed one citizen, wounded Sheriff Bill Gough, and wounded two bank employees before committing suicide.
Patrolman Marler was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Harrisonville Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and child.