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Incident
Marshal Willis Dearing was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man in a city street. The suspect had been asking for credit in a local bar and fired a shot into the street when the owner refused. The man then shot Marshal Dearing as he attempted to arrest him. The man was identified but never apprehended. Marshal Dearing was predeceased by his wife and five children. Four of his children were from his first wife.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Dearing served with the DeSoto Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the DeSoto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Willis is the only officer of DeSoto Police Department remembered here.
Willis is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis 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 1897, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1897, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1897, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willis was 40. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Willis was 40. 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.
Willis was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Thursdays: 12%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at DeSoto Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
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