"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Kirkwood (MO) Sgt. William K. Biggs Jr. and Officer Thomas Ballman

A crazed gunman burst into a Kirkwood, Missouri City Council meeting and killed five people, including two police officers

Kirkwood (MO) Sgt. William K. Biggs Jr. (L) and Officer Thomas Ballman (R)

McLean, VA (October 22, 2024) - On the evening of February 7, 2008, a man with a history of disrupting city council meetings in Kirkwood, Missouri, made his final visit to City Hall. He left a note for his brother, saying, “The truth will win in the end.” Armed with a large-caliber revolver, he confronted a 20-year police veteran, William K. Biggs Jr., outside of City Hall and opened fire. After killing Sgt. Biggs, the crazed gunman then burst into the City Council meeting where about 30 people had just recited the Pledge of Allegiance. He shot and killed another Kirkwood police officer, Thomas Ballman, before the 37-year-old officer could draw his weapon. In the horror-filled moments that followed, three more city officials were killed and two others were seriously injured, including Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda. The darkest day in Kirkwood’s history finally ended when responding officers shot and killed the gunman.

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