Roll of Honor
Frank S. Archer
Incident
Motorcycle Officer Frank Archer succumbed to gunshot wounds he received from a man who was accosting a couple who were parked in their car on Admiral Boulevard and Troost Avenue on October 15, 1920. The subject approached the couple and demanded that they take him to a certain place. As the man tried to explain to the suspect that he was not a taxi service, Officer Archer pulled up and asked if there was a problem. The suspect drew a revolver and shot him in his left side. He then shot him in his right arm as he drew his revolver. Realizing he was defenseless, Officer Archer ran from the scene. As the suspect chased him, the man in the car and a pedestrian who witnessed the incident chased the suspect. They tackled him a short distance away as Officer Archer collapsed. At the same time, they saw another nearby motorcycle officer and fired the suspect's gun; they managed to take it from him to get his attention. The second officer and the other two managed to subdue the suspect. Patrolman Archer died from his wounds three days later. The 51-year-old suspect had a long criminal record that dated back 35 years. He had served prison terms in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma for several different crimes, including a murder for which he was convicted in Oklahoma in 1900. He blamed the use of drugs for every crime he ever committed. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Archer's murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison in 1940. Patrolman Archer was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Kansas City Police Department for five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-59F785F2- 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.
Motorcycle Officer Archer served with the Kansas City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City 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
Frank S. Archer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Motorcycle Officer Frank S. Archer 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. Frank S. Archer's cause is highlighted.
How Frank S. Archer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank S. Archer is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank S. Archer was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
