Patrolman Francis E. Wirt, Harrisonville Police Department, Missouri

Patrolman Francis E. Wirt

Harrisonville Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Friday, April 21, 1972

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.

Bio

Age 24
Tour 1 month
Badge 245
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle; M-1
Offender Committed suicide

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Most Recent Reflection

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I was born and raised in Harrisonville. I did not know Officers Marler and Wirt personally. But their deaths became the defining moment in my teenage years.

Because of this I have purchased memorial bricks in their honor that will be placed at Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, Angel Fire, New Mexico. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. I am told these bricks will probably be placed later in the afternoon.

It has now been more than 45 years since these brave men were brutally slain. But I want to make sure their memory endures.

Concerned Citizen

August 7, 2017