The "Police Monument", located in front of Police Headquarters at 1125 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri, is comprised of a bronze statue, measuring 8'4" and weighing 11 tons, situated atop a 7 ton Missouri red granite base, measuring 10'8". This sculpture is the second memorial dedicated as a tribute to the police officers of Kansas City, who gave their lives in the discharge of their duties.
The bronze statue was started in the summer of 1920, with work done by local artist Robert Merrell Gage. A total of five models were used to create the unique characteristics of the bronze sculpture; two were for the policeman (William E. Bondurant and Ira Boyle) and three for the small child (Marjorie Bondurant, Margaret Boyle, and Donald Patterson). History has it that in 1919 William Bondurant was walking his downtown beat when he was approached by banker William Kemper. Mr. Kemper explained to him that he was "tired" of the old police monument and wanted his help in obtaining donations to create a new one. Several days later Mr. Kemper again met with Officer Bondurant and asked him also to be a model. In addition, another officer, Ira Boyle, was also asked to aid in providing characteristics for the statue. Bondurant's 3-year old daughter Marjorie modeled for the face of the child, and Ira Boyle's daughter Margaret and Donald Patterson acted as an aid for the creation of the child's body. The memorial was completed a year later in 1921 and placed at 15th and The Paseo.
In April of 1949 the memorial was moved from it's location on Paseo, cleaned, and mounted on red granite. At that time, 65 names were honored on the base. Twenty-three were added and the monument was rededicated in September of that year and moved to 59th and Paseo. It was not until February 16, 1973 the the monument was moved to its current location in front of Police Headquarters.
Police Memorial Committee: William Kemper - Chairman, banker; John R. Ransom, former Police Commissioner; E.C.B. Jenkins, former Secretary - Police Board; D.M. Pinkerton, banker and School Board President; Reverend Charles R. Nisbet; James Cowgill, Kansas City Mayor; and Robert Merrell Gage, sculptor.
Robert Merrell Gage (1892-1981) - Painter, sculptor, lithographer. Born in Topeka, Kansas on December 26. Apprenticed with Gutzon Borglum (sculptor for Mount Rushmore) from 1914-1916. and again in 1921-23 when he assisted in the designs for the Stone Mountain Georgia project. Gutzon referred to Gage as "that steady eyed sculptor." Gage died on October 30, leaving behind a vast collection of work. He has been referred to as "the American Sculptor."
