morris Bigus
Agency: Kansas City Police Department
On July 29, 1933, Sergeant Bigus and Officer H.K. Klapmeyer responded to a robbery call at the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Gas Company, 4714 Broadway where a suspect had just robbed an employee of $100. Just after the officers arrived, the suspect snuck into the Walgreens store at 47th and Broadway and sat down at the rear of the soda fountain. Sergeant Bigus entered the store a short time later and ordered the suspect to put his hands up. The suspect drew a gun while he and Sergeant Bigus struggled inside the store. The suspect twisted Sergeant Bigus' arm, which was weakened from a recent recovery after being fractured in four places in a motor vehicle accident, until Sergeant Bigus' weapon discharged into his own body striking him in the left chest. Although wounded himself, Sergeant Bigus was able to regain control of his weapon and shoot and kill the suspect, William Obermeyer, who sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and right eye. Sergeant Bigus was taken to St. Luke's Hospital, where he died a short time later. The cause of death was listed as a gunshot wound to the chest. It was the third time that this branch office of the gas company had been robbed at gunpoint.
Sergeant Bigus, 34, was survived by his wife, Irene Bigus. His parents were Samuel & Ina Bigus.
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