James Richard Dacy, 61, was the chief of the Pierce City Police Department when he died on August 8, 2001. A 31-year law enforcement veteran who had served 20 years with the Joplin Police Department before joining Pierce City in 1989, Dacy went to a local cemetery that morning to check on a stray dog. While retrieving a shotgun from the trunk of his patrol car, the weapon discharged; the trigger reportedly caught on another item in the trunk as he pulled it out and the single blast struck him in the chest. He died at the scene.

The investigation concluded his death was an accident; no arrests were made and no suspects were sought. He was survived by his wife and daughter. His brother, Patrolman John Dacy of the Kansas City Police Department, had been shot and killed in the line of duty in 1969.

If anyone knew Chief Dacy or has information about that day, please share what you remember.