Incident
Detective Rudy Markl was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated a robbery. They observed a man sitting in a car parked in front of a pharmacy. When they the approached the vehicle the man exited and fled, with Detective Markl's partner in pursuit. Detective Markl then entered the pharmacy where he encountered three additional suspects who opened fire, mortally wounding him. All four men were apprehended and charged with Detective Markl's murder. Two were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. They were denied parole in 1937 and 1939. The other two were acquitted.
Survivors
Detective Markl was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
31 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Markl gave the Kansas City Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Markl.
— 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.
Rudolph is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Rudolph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rudolph 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 1924, 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 1924, 4 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rudolph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Rudolph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Rudolph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rudolph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at Kansas City Police Department; August holds the most, 31.3%. Saturdays: 6.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 20 deaths at Kansas City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas City Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Rudolph 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
-
Hunter Simoncic
Aug 26, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
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