KCPD Memorial Lest We Forget
Honoring the Fallen
Officer
Willard Laurence Ferguson
Kansas City, MO Police Dept
EOW: Monday, Feb 19, 1923
Date of incident: Feb 8, 1923
Age: 23
Tour: 1 year
DOB: Feb 25, 1899
Cause: Gunfire
Suspect: Shot & killed

Officer Willard Ferguson was shot and fatally wounded when he attempted to arrest a robbery suspect.

On February 8, 1923 at 7:45 pm, Officer Ferguson and Officer Gail responded to a robbery call at the Standard Oil Filling Station, at Independence and Ewing in which a youthful suspect wearing overalls stole $18. A few minutes later the officers responded to another robbery call at the Monark Station at Fifteenth and Richmond. The officers spotted a male suspect walking on Fifteenth near Crystal removing his overalls. Officer Ferguson exited their vehicle and directed the man to drop something he was carrying under his arm. The suspect opened fire on Officer Ferguson grazing his chest. Officer Ferguson dropped to the ground and returned fire. The suspect fired again and struck Officer Ferguson in the groin. Officer Ferguson reloaded and fired again, striking the suspect who fell to the ground. The suspect, Ray Bishop(18), died at the scene. Officer Ferguson was taken to General Hospital for treatment. Officer Ferguson died from his injuries 11 days later on February 19, 1923. The cause of death was listed as septic peritonitis. 

Officer Ferguson had been with the agency for one year and had served in the United States Army for three years. He was survived by his wife, Frances Evelyn Ferguson, and a son, Willard Jr. Interred: Elmwood Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant

Kansas City Police Memorial