Officer Hershel Wyatt was riding his police motorcycle when he crashed into the street car.

Officer Wyatt was riding south on Prospect Street and as he approached 12th Street, a street car crossed into his path. Officer Wyatt attempted to swerve but his motorcycle skidded and crashed into the street car. Officer Wyatt managed to grab the beams of the car, and was being dragged along but lost his grip and was crushed beneath the wheels before the street car to come to a stop. A passing ambulance stopped and the attendants immediately attempted to provide Officer Wyatt assistance but he was already dead.

As a result of many robberies the police department assigned officers on motorcycles to accompany the vehicles that were delivering payrolls. Officer Wyatt just finished a trip guarding the H.P. Wright Investment Company payroll and was headed his motorcycle to his next assignment for the Continental National Bank. Riding south on Prospect as we know from a witness’s statement, he was riding at an “ordinary speed” at the time of the accident.

Officer Wyatt's funeral was held at the house of his parents, Milton and Mary Wyatt. Thirty-three officers were delegated to the funeral as an honor guard including his partner Officer O.B. Flaherty and served as one of the pallbearers.

Officer Wyatt, 23, a US Army veteran having served in WW I. He was survived by his wife, Allie Wyatt, and child.
Interred: Blue Springs Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant