Headstone of David Joe Kraxner
U.S. Army · United States United States

David Joe Kraxner

1966

David Joe Kraxner served the U.S. Army for 2 years. David served in the Korean War and the Cold War.

How He Died
Manner Homicide
Cause Gunshot wound
Mechanism Firearm
What Happened
Lieutenant David Kraxner was shot and killed while conducting a felony traffic stop on an escaped convict who shot a prison guard while being transported for trial. The suspect then murdered a citizen and stole his car. Lieutenant Kraxner located the vehicle and began a felony traffic stop at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Crysler Avenue but was immediately met with gunfire. Both he and the suspect were wounded in the shootout. The suspect was able to walk to Lieutenant Kraxner's vehicle, gained control of his service weapon, and then shot him execution style. The suspect was apprehended later in the morning and pleaded guilty in order to avoid the death penalty. He was subsequently sentenced to life plus 39 years in prison. Lieutenant Kraxner's killer was denied parole in January 2012. Lieutenant Kraxner is survived by his wife and children. He is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Shawnee, Kansas.
Survivors
Lieutenant Kraxner is survived by his wife and children.
David Joe Kraxner
David Joe Kraxner
Service Record
U.S. Army
1952 – 1954
Korean War Cold War
Also Served
Independence Police Department
Lieutenant
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtn22ka3k9whmdh0w5844
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated August 2, 2026

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