This incident and the murders of Dr. Harrington's in-laws were witnessed by Dr. Harrington's 10-year-old daughter Maude, as the doctor had his daughter with him during his murderess rampage. The doctor was believed to be intoxicated and on drugs during the crime spree. The doctor was looking for his wife who had sought safety in Platte City, Mo. Deputy Sheriff Henry Dillingham was appointed as Sheriff to fill his father’s unexpired term. Henry Dillingham 30 years later became a U.S. Marshall. Sheriff John Dillingham was the first and the only Platte County Sheriffs Office law enforcement officer to be killed in the line-of-duty as of January 26, 2021.