Officer Douglas Perry was struck by a vehicle and killed while working an accident on the Lewis and Clark Viaduct.

On September 6, 1978, Officer Perry was working an accident involving a car and a pickup truck at the Lewis and Clark Viaduct on I-70 at the Kansas/Missouri state line. Officer Perry was working the accident scene that had been blocked off for ten minutes when a tanker-truck carrying 8,000 gallons of fuel and traveling in excess of 40 miles per hour struck another vehicle then veered toward six persons helping at the accident scene. Officer Perry was struck and killed in the accident. A tow truck driver, Richard West, 32, was thrown 100 feet severing one leg and requiring his remaining leg to be amputated in the emergency room. William Roberts, 54, a passerby who, delayed his journey to work and stopped to help was hospitalized with rib and pelvic fractures.

Officer Perry had served with the Kansas City Police Department for six years. He had served with the United States Army for a two year tour in Vietnam. He was survived by his wife and three children. Interred: Mt Moriah Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant