Officer Thomas Ballman and Sergeant William Biggs were shot and killed when a suspect opened fire at a Kirkwood city council meeting. The man had held a grudge against the city council for several years and had filed several lawsuits against the city.

On February 7, 2008, the suspect approached Sergeant Biggs across the street from the city hall and asked him what time the meeting started, then pulled out a handgun and shot him in the head. The man then took Sergeant Biggs' service weapon and walked across the street into the city hall. As Officer Biggs ly dying he activated his distress alarm. When he climbed the back stairs and entered the council chambers there were between 30 and 40 people gathering. The suspect, walking quickly, approached Officer Ballman seated at the front of the room and ordered him to raise his hands. Without him having the opportunity to comply, the suspect shot Officer Ballman in the head. The man then opened fire on the other occupants of the room, killing two council members and the director of public works before being shot and killed by responding officers.

Officer Ballman served with the Kirkwood Police Department for 9 years and had previously served with the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer for 2 years. He was a Marine Corps veteran and was survived by his wife and two children. Interred: Sunset Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Affton, Missouri.

Sergeant Biggs served with the Kirkwood Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Interred: Gerald, Missouri.