John D. Colter

John D. Colter died rescuing Kristine M. Kempf from assault, Fenton, Missouri, January 23, 2020. On the main floor inside her house, Kempf, 40, was in a hallway as she discovered that her estranged husband, 45, had entered the house and was in the adjacent living room with a handgun; he shot multiple rounds at Kempf, who ultimately was wounded in the right thigh and ankle. Kempf’s father, Colter, 66, pharmacist, who was tending to Kempf’s two children outside the house, ran inside at the front door and tackled the assailant to the living room floor. Colter wrestled with the assailant for control of the gun as they moved to the hallway floor, where Kempf got atop the assailant and also attempted to seize the weapon. Colter called for Kempf to leave and get help. Separating from the assailant, Kempf exited the house and retreated to safety at a neighboring house. The assailant shortly shot Colter and fled the scene; he fatally shot himself when authorities located him in another state eight days later. Kempf was hospitalized for treatment of her wounds. Colter died at the scene.