Officer Meyers was conducting a traffic accident investigation along I-29 near Tiffany Springs Road at approximately 11:00 a.m. involving a minor accident where a jeep had struck a concrete median. The jeep had struck the concrete median, spun around and came to rest facing north in the innermost southbound lane. A tow truck was parked north of the jeep and Meyers' squad car was parked behind the truck. Meyers, along with the driver of the Jeep and one passenger, was standing near the jeep while the tow truck driver was under the Jeep, examining the damage. A southbound car passed the patrol car and tow truck, then moved into the left lane where it struck Meyers; struck and injured the two civilians, Bette Stewart and James Gresham; and struck the Jeep.

The drunk driver, whose BAC was three times the legal limit, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, which is a class B felony, and two counts of assault. The suspect was denied parole in 2003.

Officer Meyers (53) was a 25 year veteran in law enforcement. He worked at the Gladstone and Riverside Police Departments before joining the Kansas City Police Department in 1985 where he earned three Meritorious Service Awards and 39 letters of commendation during his career. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and brother.

Open Letter
PAROLE DENIED FOR KILLER OF OFFICER THOMAS MEYERS

From Trudy Meyers, wife of Officer Meyers

The Meyers family is truly appreciative of the support and efforts that Tom's co-workers, our C.O.P.S. family, friends, strangers and the community have shown to us while going through the parole process. We would also like to thank the Missouri Parole board, Victim Services and the staff at Crossroads Correctional Facility for the assistance and courtesy that was shown to our family and to the memory of Officer Thomas R. Meyers. My skeptical "police wife" attitude has certainly been changed throughout the whole process from the trial all the way through to the parole hearing. My feelings were shattered, however, when we were unable to get any support from the driver of the vehicle whom Tom had stopped to assist and was injured by Bittick and from the tow truck driver who also sustained injuries at the scene. These people would not call or even write a letter to the parole board. Where is the support for the law enforcement community when those who it is there to help and protect turn their backs on it.

Larry Bittick was convicted November 19, 1998, for killing Kansas City MO Police Officer Thomas R. Meyers and for injuring 3 other people at 10:54 a.m. while driving drunk at three times the legal limit one hour after the accident on January 14, 1998 with the sentences being:

COUNT 1 - Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer in the 2nd degree at 15 years
COUNT 2 - Assault in the 2nd degree at 5 years & a fine of $2000
COUNT 3 - Assault in the 2nd degree at 5 years & a fine of $2000
COUNT 4 - Assault in the 2nd degree at 5 years & a fine of $2000
These sentences are to run concurrent.

We have received official word from the parole board: PAROLE WAS DENIED and Larry Bittick will not be eligible for a hearing again until January 2008. Sometimes the system does, in fact, work.

While Bittick has no conduction violations since he was incarcerated, he has not participated in rehabilitation or treatment programs. He has still shown no remorse or apologized for his actions. He does not feel that he is responsible for the accident and continues to file paperwork with the courts to obtain his release.

Thank You so much for all the support and efforts from everyone in helping keep Larry Dean Bittick incarcerated.

Trudy L. Meyers

PAROLE WAS LAST DENIED LARRY DEAN BITTICK IN 2010.
His next parole hearing is scheduled for 2015.

Lest we forget