Detective Oliver Carpenter was shot and killed when he interrupted an armed robbery in progress.

On February 8, 1932, Detective Carpenter and his partner, Officer Edward H. Young, interrupted an armed robbery by 5 men at the downtown Mercantile Trust Company at 1401 Grand, the northeast corner of 14th and Grand. As the two drove their car north on Grand they observed two men seize the janitor as he unlocked the bank door and push him inside the bank. Detective Carpenter exited his car with his revolver in hand but another suspect opened fire on them from behind, cut down by a fusillade of bullets, sustaining 14 gunshot wounds from a machine gun only getting off one shot from his revolver before he fell. The suspects beat Officer Young, leaving him unconscious. The robbers pushed the janitor to the floor, smashed a side window, exited the bank through the window and fled with their companions outside the bank.

John Dugan (24) and John (Blackie) Mingori were both apprehended and charged with 1st degree murder. Dugan was found to be the owner of the pistol that killed Detective Carpenter and was arrested as he attempted to dispose of the murder weapon. Mingori originally confessed and was identified by a witness but was found not guilty after recanting his confession and the witness's testimony was brought into question. The charges against Dugan were dismissed when evidence involving bullets found at the scene linking his weapon to the crime were brought into question.

Detective Carpenter had served with the police department joining on August 11, 1909 and was made detective on September 14, 1911. He resigned in July 4. 1913 to work with the street car company. He enlisted and served in the US Army in WWI and returned to service in the KCPD following his return March 16, 1925 as a patrolman and was again made a detective on July 16, 1925. He was cited several times for bravery and efficiency as a police officer. He was born in Kentucky, was survived by his brothers, Ruben, John and George. Parents: John & Elizabeth Carpenter. Interred: Strasburg Cemetery, Strasburg, Missouri.

Article by Brent Marchant