Patrolman Francis E. Wirt

Francis E. Wirt

Patrolman Francis Wirt and Patrolman Donald Marler were shot and killed when they were ambushed by a suspect while walking their beat. 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 three citizens and wounded several others before committing suicide.

Patrolman Wirt had been on the Harrisonville Police Department for about a month after returning from serving his country in the US Marine Corps. He was survived by his parents and four brothers.