Detective George Lanigan was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant on robbery suspects.

On April 12, 1968, Detective Lanigan, Detective Bill Witcig, Sgt. Harry Caray, and Detective William Trollope, while assisting F.B.I. agents, were attempting to arrest suspects wanted on a warrant for robbery of a jewelry store in Portland, Oregon at the Antioch Trailer Court, behind a bar located at 4071 N Prather. The detectives were at the residence when the suspects arrived. Detective Lanigan was fired on as he exited the trailer, striking him in the chest. He died at 4:00 am at North Kansas City Hospital. Detective Bill J. Witcig also sustained a minor gunshot wound to his arm during the battle. Suspects, James L. Grove, 45, and Vernon D. Romphrey, 44, were wounded, taken into custody and charged with Detective Lanigan's murder.

Detective Lanigan joined the police department in 1958. He was survived by his wife, Latain, and two sons, Larry and Robert. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church. Interred: Floral Hills Cemetery.