Marshal Fry was shot and killed at 0140 hours while checking on a suspicious pickup truck that was parked in an alley behind Richard's Brothers Grocery Store. Marshal Fry approached the grocery store and a volley of shots rang out including shotgun blasts and high-powered rifle rounds. Authorities believed Marshal Fry stepped from his vehicle and was shot from behind with a high-powered rifle. Four slugs were found in the left side of his car and shotgun pellets were found in the right side. The right front window of his patrol car had been shot out by a shotgun blast. Marshal Fry sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and wrist during a shootout but was able to radio for assistance. He taken to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he succumbed to his wounds three hours later.

No suspect was ever prosecuted for the murder.

Marshal Fry served with the agency for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, parents, sister and grandmother.