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Incident
Sergeant Harry Hedrick was shot and killed after responding to a report of gunshots. When he and his partner arrived at the area of Third Street and Troup Avenue in Kansas City, they observed a man digging in a trash can and a second man holding a coat over one hand. The man with the coat approached their patrol car, asked the officers what they wanted, and then opened fire with a handgun concealed under the coat. Sergeant Hedrick was killed. His partner returned fire, wounding the suspect. The 52-year-old suspect, who had been arrested in the past for multiple felonies but never served any time, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on January 17, 1964. He was released from prison on September 9, 1980, and died seven months later. Sergeant Hedrick had served with the Kansas City Police Department for 19 years. His wife and two children survived him.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Hedrick gave the Kansas City Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hedrick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas City Police Department has lost 20 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer at Kansas City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1902, with 2.
In 1963, 1 officer in KS was killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 47. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Kansas City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 46; the middle age was 39. Harry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Harry was 47. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Harry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Harry was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 31.3% of these deaths at Kansas City Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 25%.
August holds 11% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 17.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 20 deaths at Kansas City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 18.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas City Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
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John W. Gilley
May 13, 1889
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George Washington Noah
Dec 20, 1896
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Frank Stone
Aug 17, 1902
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William Morris Sep 2, 1902
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Elmer E. Biggs
Sep 1, 1922
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Fred C. Wheeler Sep 1, 1922
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Rudolph Markl Dec 20, 1924
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William Conley Sep 12, 1926
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William Hicks Dec 8, 1929
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Edward F. Nugent
Aug 2, 1943
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Frederick F. Shaumeyer
Feb 12, 1948
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Harry V. Hedrick, Sr.
Aug 5, 1963
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Roger Lutcher
Jan 8, 1969
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Michael Edward Haen
Jul 28, 1978
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Douglas Eugene Bunch
Mar 29, 1983
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Jeffrey A. Young
Aug 1, 1989
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Richard James Asten
Jun 11, 1998
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Brad David Lancaster
May 9, 2016
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Robert David Melton
Jul 19, 2016
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Hunter Simoncic
Aug 26, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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