KHP 2022-05: KANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL SERVICES TO BE HELD MAY 5 AND 6
In honor of National Police Week, and National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, the State of Kansas will be holding its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 6. A Candlelight Vigil will take place on Thursday, May 5. The public is encouraged to attend the memorial events that take place in Kansas.
The annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, Topeka #3, will be on Thursday, May 5th, in the First Floor Rotunda area of the Statehouse, with a Candle Lighting Ceremony to follow at the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument. The vigil will begin at 8:00 p.m.
The annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 6th at the Kansas Statehouse, Second Floor Rotunda, at 12:00 p.m. A Wreath-Laying Ceremony will follow at the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument, which is on the northeast quadrant of the Statehouse grounds.
Six names have been added to the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument this year:
- Officer Freddie Joe Castro, Overland Park Police Department, End of Watch: August 31, 2021
Freddie Joe Castro, age 23, served as a police officer with the Overland Park Police Department for two years and had been responding daily to calls for service involving persons who had or were suspected of having COVID-19. In July 2021, Officer Castro tested positive for COVID-19 and was later hospitalized. On August 31, 2021, following a short, courageous battle with the COVID virus, Officer Castro Succumbed to medical complications resulting form his COVID exposure. Officer Castro is survived by his mother, a sister and brother.
- Deputy Stephen Mark Evans, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: October 25, 2021
Stephen Mark Evans, age 44, served as a deputy with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for just over one year, after spending 16 years with the Kansas Department of Corrections. At the time of his death on October 25, 2021, Deputy Evans was working part-time as the chief of police for the city of Burns. While traveling south on K-77 highway, south of Burns, Deputy Evans observed what he suspected to be a stole vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Upon making a U-turn, Deputy Evans’ patrol vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle that was also traveling southbound. Deputy Evans succumbed to his severe injuries at the accident scene. Deputy Evans is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
- Officer Kerry Dean Dick, Rossville Police Department, End of Watch: November 29, 2021
Kerry Dean Dick, age 53, served with the Rossville Police Department as a part-time police officer for 14 years. During early November 2021, Officer Dick had been responding to calls for service involving persons who had or were suspected of having COVID-19. On November 16, 2021, Officer Dick tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized the same day. On November 29, 2021, following a short, courageous battle with the COVID virus, Officer Dick succumbed to medical complications resulting from his COVID exposure. Officer Dick is survived by his wife.
- Officer Theodore James Ohlemeier, Colwich Police Department, End of Watch: December 8, 2021
Theodore James Ohlemeier, age 58, a 33-year veteran police officer, served with the Colwich Police Department for the past three years. During late November 2021, Officer Ohlemeier had been responding to calls for service and making arrests involving persons who had or were suspected of having COVID-19. On December 3, 2021, Officer Ohlemeier tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized. On December 8, 2021, following a very short, courageous battle with the COVID virus, Officer Ohlemeier succumbed to medical complications resulting from his COVID exposure. Officer Ohlemeier is survived by his daughter and sister.
- Deputy Stacy Annette Murrow, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: December 27, 2021
Stacy Annette Murrow, age 49, a 21-year veteran sheriff’s deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, had been responding daily to work assignments and calls for service involving persons who had or were suspected of having COVID-19. In December 2021, Deputy Murrow tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized. Following hospitalization, she returned home for a brief stint before having a relapse. On December 27, 2021, following a short, courageous battle with the COVID virus, Deputy Murrow succumbed to medical complications resulting from her COVID exposure. Deputy Murrow is survived by her wife and daughter.
- Special Agent James Lee David, Missouri Pacific Railroad, End of Watch: May 17, 1923
James Lee David, age 41, a Special Agent with the Missouri Pacific Railroad was assigned to patrol the Leavenworth railroad yards due to a rash of railroad freight car thefts. In the very early morning hours of May 17, 1923, Special Agent David, along with another special agent, observed two men attempting to break into a freight car. When the two railroad special agents attempted to arrest the suspects, the suspects responded with gunfire. In the gun battle the followed, Special Agent David was killed, and the suspects escaped. Special Agent David was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In honor of National Police Week and National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, the Patrol joins COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) for Project Blue Ribbon. COPS is a national non-profit organization for the families of officers lost in the line of duty. As part of Project Blue Ribbon, the Patrol will be tying blue ribbons to agency-owned vehicles, and encouraging civilians to do the same, to serve as a reminder of the many officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It also honors those officers who are working every day, putting their lives on the line. A limited supply of the official COPS ribbons will be available at local KHP troop headquarters; however, any 18-inch strip of royal blue ribbon will show your support.
In 2021, 458 officers were killed in the line of duty in the U.S., according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. So far in 2022, as of April 19, in the U.S., 85 officers have been killed in the line of duty.
CONTACT: Lieutenant Candice Breshears, Public Information Officer, (785) 296-6800
