Harrisonville Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch Friday, April 21, 1972
Donald Lee Marler
Patrolman Donald Marler and Patrolman Francis Wirt 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 Marler had served with the agency for two years. He is survived by his wife and child.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 2 years
- Badge 250
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; M-1
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsI 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
Recent LODD Deaths

Sergeant Noel Ramirez
Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 19, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Taylor Lindsey
Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 19, 2018

Police Officer Sean McNamee Gannon
Yarmouth Police Department, MA
EOW: April 12, 2018

Patrolman Kevin F. Crossley
Whitesboro Police Department, NY
EOW: April 11, 2018

Police Officer Keith O'Neal Earle
Huntsville Police Department, AL
EOW: April 9, 2018

Corporal Dale Shannon Hallman
Saluda County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: April 6, 2018

Police Officer Phillip Lynn Meacham
Hopkinsville Police Department, KY
EOW: March 29, 2018

Trooper First Class Kevin M. Miller
Connecticut State Police, CT
EOW: March 29, 2018

Special Agent Melissa S. Morrow
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 22, 2018