Frank S. Archer
Agency: Kansas City Police Department, MO
Officer Archer was born August 28th, 1891 and served the department for five months. At the age of 29, he was survived by his wife.
On October 15, 1920 around 11:20 pm, a man, later identified as Charles Simpson, approached a man sitting in his automobile and asked them to give him a ride downtown. Officer Frank S. Archer was traveling along Admiral on his police motorcycle when he observed a man suspiciously standing by a car. Officer Archer stopped and asked, "What's going on here?" when the man in question immediately drew a pistol and shot at Officer Archer hitting him in the left side of his torso and right arm.
As Officer Archer attempted to draw his pistol the pistol dropped to the ground and was out of reach while being fired upon. Nevertheless, the suspect then proceeded to follow Officer Archer as he attempted to flee and get backup.
As the two men entered a yard, local pedestrian Roy Allen jumped the suspect from behind and succeeded in disarming him. Another pedestrian then came to Allen's assistance and fired a shot from the captured pistol, flagging down a passing police officer.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Officer Archer died three days later in his hospital bed. The suspect who identified himself as Charles L. Simpson of Holden, Missouri was taken into custody. He would not say why he shot Patrolman Archer. The only thing he would say was "I belong in prison."
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