Sergeant Eric Bjorkback was fatally injured in a vehicle pursuit of robbery suspects.

Sergeant Bjorkback and police chaeffeur L.E. Wyatt spotted a car matching the description of a vehicle used in three robberies the previous evening and pursued the vehicle for twenty-five miles. After gunfire was exchanged near 87th Street and Raytown Road, Sergeant Bjorkback lost control of his car and crashed, overturning on the gravel road. L.E. Wyatt was injured and Sergeant Bjorkback was thrown from the vehicle. Sergeant Bjorkback died from his injuries including a fractured skull. Robbery suspects John Muehlebach and Charles Frazier were apprehended in Rosebud, Missouri and made confessions of their crimes. Muehlebach was sentenced to 10 years for each of 9 counts of armed robbery to be served consecutively in the penitentiary.

Sergeant Bjorkback, 57, born in Sweden served with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department for 29 years. He was survived by his wife, Esther, and son, Willard. Interred: Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant