Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Vernon Seals was struck and killed by a vehicle that was being chased by other officers on I-70 at 3:30 pm.
The two occupants had committed a home invasion robbery in Fulton, Missouri, earlier in the day and fled after being stopped by a state trooper. The suspect lost control of his vehicle while trying to pass a patrol car, causing the vehicle to overturn. The car struck Officer Seals, who was positioned next to his patrol car on the eastbound shoulder. Officer Seals was transported to St. Joseph Hospital West where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle was also killed in the crash, and the passenger was taken into custody. He was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for his part in Officer Seals' death.
Officer Seals had served as a part-time officer for the 280-person town for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-305963F3- 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.
Police Officer Seals gave the Truesdale Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Truesdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Seals.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Vernon M. Seals 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Vernon M. Seals's cause is highlighted.
How Vernon M. Seals Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in accident
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Vernon M. Seals is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Vernon M. Seals was killed by automobile.