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Incident
Patrolman Fred Wheeler and Sergeant Elmer Biggs were shot and killed when they went to investigate three men who were unloading tires from a parked truck. As they approached the men they fired upon and both officers were struck. Sergeant Biggs was killed instantly and Patrolman Wheeler succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. A week earlier the suspects along with two others shot and killed Patrolman C. LeRoy Damron of the Bonner Springs Police Department during a bank robbery attempt. Two suspects were captured days later. The other three fled to Toledo, Ohio, where a week later they shot and killed Lieutenant William Martin, of the Toledo Police Department. Lieutenant Martin's partner shot and killed one suspect and the other two were apprehended. Both suspects were convicted of Lieutenant Martin's murder and sentenced to life. Patrolman Wheeler had served with the Kansas City Police Department for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrolman Wheeler served with the Kansas City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wheeler.
— 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.
Fred is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1922, 2 officers at Kansas City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1922, 7 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 35. 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. Fred had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Fred was 35. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Fred had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Fred was 35. 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. Fred had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 25% of these deaths at Kansas City Police Department; August holds the most, 31.3%. Fridays: 12.5%.
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 15.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
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, Fred 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
