Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fred Wheeler and Sergeant Elmer Biggs were shot and killed when they went to investigate three men who were unloading tires from a parked truck. As they approached the men they fired upon and both officers were struck. Sergeant Biggs was killed instantly and Patrolman Wheeler succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. A week earlier the suspects along with two others shot and killed Patrolman C. LeRoy Damron of the Bonner Springs Police Department during a bank robbery attempt. Two suspects were captured days later. The other three fled to Toledo, Ohio, where a week later they shot and killed Lieutenant William Martin, of the Toledo Police Department. Lieutenant Martin's partner shot and killed one suspect and the other two were apprehended. Both suspects were convicted of Lieutenant Martin's murder and sentenced to life. Patrolman Wheeler had served with the Kansas City Police Department for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-A24AFEB0- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wheeler served with the Kansas City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wheeler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Fred C. Wheeler 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kansas City Police Department, 16 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred C. Wheeler's cause is highlighted.
How Fred C. Wheeler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred C. Wheeler is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred C. Wheeler was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
