Chief Michael Onka was shot and fatally wounded by robbery suspects.

On February 5, 1968, Chief Onka responded to an armed robbery call at Kross Tavern, at 605 N. Sterling in Sugar Creek. Upon his arrival, Chief Onka was shot twice in the stomach. He was pronounced dead at Independence Sanitarium at 4:03 pm. A second Sugar Creek Officer was wounded in the battle. The suspect, Jerald R. Fizer, a former police officer was sentenced to prison but released after serving only 7 years. He claimed he intended to be killed during the robbery.

Chief Onka served with the Sugar Creek Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter. Interred: Woodlawn Cemetery.