Deputy Marshal Henry H. Hughes
Independence Police Department
End of Watch: Saturday, February 10, 1877

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, February 10, 1877
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed

Deputy Hughes was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest. The primary suspect was hung for his role in the murder. The second suspect was sentenced to death but the sentence was later commuted to 10 years in prison.

Chief John M. Swearingen
Independence Police Department
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 16, 1884

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Accidental)
Date of Incident: Wednesday, January 16, 1884
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available

Chief Swearingen was accidentally shot and killed when his gun fell to the floor and discharged while he was checking on prisoners.

Patrolman George Gilbert Barton Sr. Independence Police Department End of Watch: Thursday, January 26, 1922

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, January 26, 1922
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Killed by another officer

Patrolman Barton was walking his beat on the Square at about 3:30 a.m., when he noticed a suspicious individual. The person pulled out a Colt .45 and shot Patrolman Barton, who died two hours later at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital.

The chief of police found the shooter near Main Street and Lexington Avenue and was met with a barrage of bullets. the chief returned fire and killed the person.

Patrolman Barton was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Lieutenant David Kraxner Independence Police Department End of Watch: Monday, October 31, 1966

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, October 31, 1966
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Lieutenant 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 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 pled guilty in order to avoid the death penalty.

Lieutenant Kraxner was survived by his wife and children.

Officer Terry Eugene Foster Independence Police Department End of Watch: Saturday, March 17, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 32 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, March 17, 2001
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Committed suicide

Officer Terry Foster was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call.

An elderly couple had called police to report their grown son was threatening them and acting violent. When officers arrived, the suspect locked himself in an upstairs bedroom. After talking with the suspect, the officers forced the hallway door open and began to check a bedroom when the suspect opened fire, striking Officer Foster in the head and chest several times. Other officers dragged Officer Foster out of the home and held their positions when an explosion ripped through the bedroom, completely engulfing the house. The suspect's body was later found inside.

Officer Foster had been employed with the Independence Police Department for 32 years, and was only three weeks from retirement.

He is survived by his wife of one year and several adult children.