Officer Fred Houghton was fatally injured by an accidental discharge while entering a street car.

At around noon on November 29, 1881, Officer Houghton was boarding a Red Line street car on West 9th near State Line. Officer Martin Moran was following Officer Houghton onto the street car when Moran's revolver fell from his pocket and discharged striking Officer Houghton in the leg, midway between the knee and the ankle, shattering both bones. On December 1, 1881 at 11:00 pm, Officer Houghton's leg was amputated in an attempt to save his life. Officer Houghton died from his injuries at 10:15 am on December 2, 1881 at Sisters Hospital, becoming the first Kansas City, Missouri police officer to lose his life in the line of duty.

Chief Tom Speers and the entire police force escorted Officer Houghton's remains to the train station at 5:00 pm the following evening where, by his brother, Ed Houghton, they were to be taken to his family home in Orange, Vermont.

Officer Houghton, born in Vermont, previously worked as a clothing merchant prior to joining the department on May 4, 1880. He was survived by his brothers, Ed and Hardy; an uncle, George; and his parents, Davis and Louisa Houghton. His funeral was held at Union Church in Orange, Vermont. Interred: Vermont. Officer Houghton's death was the first recorded death in the line of duty for the City of Kansas, renamed Kansas City, Missouri in 1889.

Article by Brent Marchant