Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Francis Wirt and Patrolman Donald Marler 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 Wirt was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Harrisonville Police Department for about a month.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-15452567- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Francis is one person.
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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 Wirt served with the Harrisonville Police Department.
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
Francis E. Wirt served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969â1971) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Francis E. Wirt is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 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 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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. Francis E. Wirt's cause is highlighted.
How Francis E. Wirt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis E. Wirt is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis E. Wirt was killed by rifle.
Military Service
Francis E. Wirt served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969–1971) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Francis E. Wirt’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Harrisonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
