Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Spangler was shot and killed as he and other officers were involved in a gunfight with a train porter at 28th and Harrison Streets. The porter was also killed. It could not be determined if the officers killed him or he killed himself.
Survivors
Patrolman Spangler had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-6789CC36- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Spangler gave the Kansas City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spangler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Arthur Spangler 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 Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Arthur Spangler's cause is highlighted.
How William Arthur Spangler Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Arthur Spangler is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Arthur Spangler was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
