Sergeant Robert G. Kimberling

Badge #511

Sergeant Robert G. Kimberling, 43, was shot and killed on October 6, 1999, on I-29, in St. Joseph, Missouri, in Buchanan County. The incident occurred after Sergeant Kimberling stopped a motorist who had left the Farris Truck Stop in Faucett, MO, without paying for $24.69 of fuel. The driver, Jason M. Friske of Madison, WI, met Sergeant Kimberling at the rear of his vehicle then turned and went back to the open driver's door, where he reached in and got a Colt.357 revolver. Sergeant Kimberling had followed him and a struggle ensued.

Sergeant Kimberling was shot twice in the vest while wrestling with Friske and fell backward to the ground in front of the violator's vehicle. He was shot a third time, in the right shoulder, but was able to draw his duty weapon and fire three rounds. Two bullets struck Friske, once in the left foot and once in the right shin, shattering the bone. Friske then shot Kimberling two more times, one of which was the cause of death. Unable to stand because of his own wounds, Friske used his last bullet to kill himself. Even though he was shot five times, Sergeant Kimberling was able to return fire and seriously wound Friske which prevented him from escaping and possibly causing more injury or death.

Sergeant Kimberling was a 14-year veteran of the Patrol. He was the 20th uniformed member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be killed in the line of duty.

Sergeant Kimberling was survived by his wife and two daughters (ages 11 and 12).

As part of the Patrol's 75th Anniversary Celebration, employees of the Patrol have written in-depth articles about each of the officers that have been killed in the line of duty. These stories go more into the officer's life, who they were and their families, then just the circumstances of their death.

Read a more detailed article about Sergeant Robert G. "Bob" Kimberling