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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Maurice Bedell was shot and killed while he and his partner were transporting a suspect to the local jail. They had just arrested the man for robbery. During the ride to the jail, the man was able to gain control of Deputy Bedell's partner's revolver and shot Deputy Bedell. The suspect escaped but was later shot and killed by other officers.
Survivors
Deputy Bedell was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Bedell served with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bedell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Maurice is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Maurice is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Maurice 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 1954, 1 officer at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 2.
In 1954, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Maurice was 51. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34.8 and 44.3; the middle age was 35.
Maurice was 51. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Maurice was 51. 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.
Maurice was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 25% of these deaths at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 25%.
August holds 11% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 10 deaths at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 4.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Maurice among them.
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William Conway May 11, 1896
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Charles Quincy Lukens Dec 8, 1909
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Frank Rohrbach Aug 6, 1931
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Maurice A. Bedell, Sr.
Aug 29, 1954
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Wesley Gippy Walden
Nov 19, 1955
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Thomas W. Mendina Mar 4, 1956
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James L. Reynolds Aug 4, 1984
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Patrick Thomas Rohrer
Jun 15, 2018
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Theresa Sue King
Jun 16, 2018
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Elijah Ming
Jul 26, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
