Officer Frank Archer was shot and killed when he stopped and questioned a hitch hiker.

On 10-15-1920 at about 11:20 pm a man approached a man, Roy Allen and his female companion who were parked on Admiral Boulevard between Troost and Harrison and asked them to give him a ride downtown. Officer Archer traveling along Admiral on his motorcycle observed the man standing by the car and stopped and asked "What's going on here?" The man immediately drew an automatic pistol and shot Officer Archer in the left side and right arm as Officer Archer attempted to draw but dropped his revolver on the ground. The suspect followed Officer Archer as Officer Archer continued to flee continuing to fire at Officer Archer. As they entered a yard Roy Allen jumped the suspect from behind and succeeded in disarming him. Another man came to Allen's assistance and fired a shot from the captured pistol, flagging down a passing police officer. The suspect who identified himself as Charles L. Simpson of Holden, Missouri was taken into custody.

As Officer Archer struggled to recover he contracted pneumonia. A call went out for blood donors for transfusions to strengthen him and 30 officers responded offering to donate blood. Officer Archer was pronounced dead at General Hospital on October 18, 1920.

Charles Simpson was convicted and sentenced to life - he was sent to Jefferson City penitentiary December 10, 1920.

Officer Archer was appointed to the department on February 14, 1917. He resigned from the department to serve in WWI for 23 months as a Naval aviator then was reinstated upon his return in June 1920. He also previously served as head of the departments motorcycle repair shop at 57th and Woodland. Officer Archer, 29, was survived by his wife. Interred: Mount Washington Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant