Incident
Sergeant Richard Asten was killed after being intentionally struck by a stolen vehicle on 98th Street near the entrance to the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. He was attempting to deploy stop sticks in the street when the driver of a Chevrolet Blazer intentionally turned and struck him, throwing him 250 feet down the street. The driver then crashed while attempting to make a turn after striking Sergeant Asten. He was arrested at the scene. The 26-year-old man, wanted for burglary, was convicted of Sergeant Asten's murder and was sentenced to 38 years in prison without the possibility of parole. His release date is September 16, 2033, but could be extended due to his terrible disciplinary record. Sergeant Asten had served with the Kansas City Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two stepsons, and a stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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.
Sergeant Asten gave the Kansas City Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Asten.
— 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.
Richard is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 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 1998, 1 officer in KS was killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 46. 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. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Richard was 46. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Richard was 46. 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. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.3% of these deaths at Kansas City Police Department; August holds the most, 31.3%. Thursdays: 6.3%.
June holds 5.5% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 8.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 20 deaths at Kansas City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, 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 automobile, in 3.8% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas City Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Richard 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 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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