Michael Bushnell
Northeast News

Kansas City Police Department recruits honored the lives of officers killed in the line of duty during the Union Station Massacre on June 17, 1933 by running in formation from 12th and Broadway to police headquarters last Friday morning, September 6.

KCPD Chief Richard Smith and McAlester Oklahoma Chief Gary Wansick addressed the recruit class in front of headquarters stressing the blue family values of the law enforcement family.
Also part of Friday’s memorial run were agents from the Kansas City FBI field office as well as two officers from the McAlester Oklahoma Police Department.

The Union Station Massacre involved the attempt by Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Vernon Miller, and Adam Richetti to free their friend, Frank Nash, who was being transported from Hot Springs, Arkansas back to the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary  he had escaped from in 1930.

During the transfer of Nash from the train to a parked police vehicle, the shooters killed FBI Agent RJ Caffrey, McAlester Chief Otto Reed, KCPD Officers WJ Grooms and Frank Hermanson, as well as Nash, the man whom they were attempting to free.

Following a push-up tribute at police headquarters, the recruits ran south on Grand Boulevard and west on Pershing Road to the south lawn of Liberty Memorial where they completed their daily physical training.

The members of this recruit class will graduate Thursday, September 12.