Marler Wirt Allen Memorial Park

The Marler Wirt Allen Memorial Park is 0.5 acre park on the corner of Mechanic Street and South Independence Street in Harrisonville, Missouri. It was constructed in remembrance of the three men who lost their lives in a 1972 shooting on Harrisonville's city square: Officer Donald Marler, Officer Frank Wirt, and citizen Orville Allen. They were shot and killed by a 24-year-old man named Charles R. Simpson from Holden, Missouri who was believed to have been heavily influenced by the alternative youth cultures of the 1960's and 70's. The small park features a fountain, flagpole, park benches, flower beds, and shrubbery.

In the early 1970's, as the expansion of the federal and state highways impacted Harrisonville, several businesses on the city's square were beginning to struggle. The business owners saw this as the fault of the young people who had moved into town the previous summer. According to one councilman, the young people "formed at least two communes" and were frequently found loitering on the square. On April 21st, 1972, a group of young men who have been described as hippies were arrested by the sheriff for loitering on Harrisonville's city square. Business owners were concerned that they were blocking foot traffic to their stores. A 24-year-old man, Charles Simpson, frequently described in newspapers as "long-haired" was friends with the arrested men. Simpson, who was living in Holden, Missouri with his father, had been saving up to buy his own house and some land, but had been turned down for the loan. Using his savings, Simpson posted bail for his friends. According to Sheriff Bill Gough, when Simpson posted bail, he told the sheriff: "Simpson is my name and revolution is my game." Simpson left the square but returned later in the day with an M1 Carbine. He opened fire on Officers Donald Marler and Frank Wirt in front of Allen Bank, killing them. He then went into the bank and opened fire, injuring two employees: Deborah Roach and Mary Stewart. After this, Simpson headed to the jail, located just off the square down Pearl Street, where the Sheriff Bill Gough and his family lived. On the way there, Simpson shot Orville Allen, an innocent bystander, as he was exiting the dry cleaners. Allen went to the hospital in critical condition and passed away later on. Upon arriving at the jail, Simpson shot into Sheriff Gough's living room and wounded him in the right shoulder and right leg while he was eating dinner. Simpson then ran back to the square and tried to enter Harrisonville's nursing home. Luckily, their doors were locked. Simpson then decided to take his own life.

On April 24th, 1972, funerals were held for Officer Marler and Officer Wirt. Marler had grown up in Garden City, Kansas and Creighton, Missouri. He was a Navy veteran and worked at McDonnell Aircraft Corps. before becoming a police officer in 1970. He had a wife and infant at home when he was killed at the age of 26. Following this tragedy, the community in Harrisonville started a foundation in order to raise money for the education of Marler's son. Officer Wirt was born in St. Louis, Missouri and had served in the Marine Corps. He joined the police force in March of 1972, just weeks before the shooting. He was 24 years old when he died. The Marler Wirt Allen Memorial Park was constructed in remembrance of the three men who lost their lives in the shooting, although it wasn't until 1984 that it was officially named the Marler Wirt Memorial Park. After some pushback from the community, Orville Allen's name was also added to the park's name. Allen was 50 years old when he passed away. In 1997, Cass County Elks Lodge 2791 erected a flagpole in the park for Flag Day in honor of the men and the 25th anniversary of their deaths. Today, the park hosts holiday events such as an annual Christmas tree lighting and Elk's Flag Day.

Londberg, Max. "Fallen Officers Remembered on Memorial Day 1984." The Cass County Democrat-Missourian (Harrisonville, Missouri) May 27th, 2016. .A9.

"Marler Wirt Allen Park." The Cass County Democrat-Missourian (Harrisonville, Missouri) February 27th, 2015. .F38.

"Gunman Kills 2 Cops, Himself." The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisconsin) April 23rd, 1972. .29.

"Man Kills 2 Police And Self." The Herald-Journal (Logan, Utah) April 23rd, 1972. .26.

"As Harrisonville Buries Three, A Fourth Victim Dies." Springfield Leader and Press (Springfield, Missouri) May 25th, 1972. .2.

Pulley, Russ. "Painful Memories From Vietnam Era Resurface." Lee's Summit Star (Lee's Summit, Missouri) June 12th, 1997. .180.

Marler Wirt Allen Park (0.5 Acre), The City of Harrisonville. Accessed February 5th, 2023. https://ci.harrisonville.mo.us/101/Parks#marler_wirt.