Independence Police Memorial

Officer Cody Allen
End of Watch: February 29, 2024

Officer Cody Allen was shot and killed on the afternoon of February 29, 2024, while responding to a shooting at 1100 North Elsea Smith Road. A Jackson County court process server, Drexel Mack, had been serving an eviction notice at the home when the resident opened fire and wounded him.   Officer Allen and other Independence police officers arrived to help but were also fired upon. Officer Allen was shot and died from his injuries.   He had been with the Independence Police Department for six years and had spent 15 years in law enforcement overall. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans
End of Watch: September 15, 2021

Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans was shot and killed when he was dispatched to the 2300 block of South Northern Boulevard to check for a wanted subject at a residence. As officers encountered the wanted subject, the man opened fire and critically wounded Officer Madrid-Evans. Another officer on the scene returned fire and killed the subject.  Officer Madrid-Evans was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds later that evening.  Officer Madrid-Evans had graduated from the academy only two months earlier and was still in field training. He is survived by his parents and fiancée.

Sergeant John Bullard
End of Watch: August 11, 2021

Reserve Sergeant John Bullard died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.  Sergeant Bullard had served with the Independence Police Department for 46 years, serving in many areas, including the traffic unit, the motorcycle unit, the accident investigation unit, the K-9 unit, and the Detective unit. Even after he retired, Sergeant Bullard remained active in the Independence Police Department's reserve unit.  He is survived by his wife, parents, a daughter, a son, two step-daughters, and ten grandchildren.

Officer Terry Foster
End of Watch: March 17, 2001

Officer Terry Foster was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. An elderly couple had called the police to report their grown son was threatening them and acting violently. 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 served 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.

Lieutenant David Kraxner
End of Watch: October 31, 1966

Lieutenant David 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 at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Crysler Avenue 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 pleaded guilty in order to avoid the death penalty. He was subsequently sentenced to life plus 39 years in prison. Lieutenant Kraxner's killer was denied parole in January 2012. Lieutenant Kraxner is survived by his wife and children. He is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Shawnee, Kansas.

Officer George Barton
End of Watch: January 26, 1922

Patrolman George 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 survived by his wife and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Jackson County, Missouri.

Chief John Swearingen
End of Watch: January 16, 1884

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

Jailer Henry Bugler
End of Watch: June 13, 1866

Jailer Henry Bugler was shot and killed when five well-armed men rode into town and attacked the jail. Reportedly two members of Quantril's guerrillas had been arrested and were in the jail; a group of horsemen rode into town and demanded the prisoners be released. It is believed members of the Jesse James gang were among this group of horsemen.

The Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial is dedicated to all the law enforcement heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect and serve the people of Missouri, to their families, and to the past, present, and future law enforcement professionals. The memorial is located in Jefferson City on the north side of the State Capitol. Each year, State Officials hold a candlelight vigil and a ceremony adding the names of these heroes to the Missouri Law Enforcement Wall of Honor.