Officer Michael Pearson was fatally injured in an automobile accident while responding to an emergency call.

On October 28, 1953 at 2:15 am, while speeding to an emergency call, Officer Pearson, 34, in his patrol car when he collided with another officer's vehicle, who was also responding to a shooting call at 3906 E. 23rd Street. Officer Pearson died from these injuries, including a cerebral embolism and pneumonia, at St Mary's Hospital four months later on February 22, 1954.

Officer Pearson, 33, joined the Kansas City Police Department in 1942, but took a leave in 1943 and joined the United States Army during WWII. He returned to the KCPD in 1945. Officer Pearson was survived by his wife, Elizabeth B. Pearson, and child. Interred: Mt. Olivet Cemetery.