Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Donald Marler and Patrolman Francis Wirt were shot and killed when they were ambushed by a suspect while walking their beat on the northwest corner of the town square. 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 one citizen, wounded Sheriff Bill Gough, and wounded two bank employees before committing suicide. Patrolman Marler was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Harrisonville Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-A06F47CA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Marler gave the Harrisonville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisonville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald Lee Marler served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Donald Lee Marler is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Harrisonville Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Lee Marler's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Lee Marler Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Lee Marler is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Lee Marler was killed by rifle; m-1.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Harrisonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
