Officer Donald Marler and Officer Francis Wirt were shot and killed when they were ambushed by a suspect while walking their beat. Officers Marler and Wirt were walking west Pearl Street, a man crossed Independence Street near Pearl and approached the officers. As the suspect came within 8 feet of the officers he pulled an M-1 carbine from under a long jacket and first shot Officer Wirt then Officer Marler. The suspect closed with the two officers and fired on them again. Officer Marler was shot twice in the chest, in the abdomen and in both hands. Officer Wirt was shot in the chest, the back, three times in the right arm and in the thumb. Both officers fell to the ground wounded.

The suspect then entered the Allen Bank where he fired several shots. He then walked to the Cass County Sheriff's living quarters on the east side of the county jail. As Sheriff Gough exited the building the suspect shot him in the right shoulder and the right leg.

The suspect, Charlie Simpson, also shot and killed three citizens and wounded several others during his murder spree before he placed his gun in his mouth and committed suicide.

Officer Marler served with the agency for two years. Officer Marler previously served in the US Navy during the Viet Nam conflict. He was survived by his wife and child.
Interred: Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

Officer Wirt had only been with the police department for one month. He previously served with the U.S. Marines. He was survived by his parents and four brothers.
Interred: Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Article by Brent Marchant