KHP 2023-09: Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Services to be Held May 18 and 19

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 19. A Candlelight Vigil will take place on Thursday, May 18. 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 18^th, 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 19^th 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.

Four names have been added to the Kansas Law Enforcement Monument this year:

• Deputy Sidnee Taylor Carter, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: October 7, 2022
  • Sidnee Taylor Carter, age 22, served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for one and a half years in the Adult Detention Facility before transferring to the Law Enforcement Bureau in February, 2022. Graduating from the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Academy in July, 2022, Deputy Carter was assigned to Patrol, Second Watch. At the time of her death on October 7, 2022, Deputy Carter was in a marked patrol unit, responding to a disturbance call in western Sedgwick County when another motorist failed to stop at a stop sign, striking Deputy Carter’s patrol car. Deputy Carter sustained multiple blunt force injuries and succumbed to her injuries at the accident scene. Deputy Carter is survived by her mother and step-father, her father, two sisters, and two brothers.

• Captain Clay Morsell Germany, Wichita Police Department, End of Watch: July 9, 2021
  • Clay Morsell Germany, age 58, a 26-year veteran police officer served at the rank of Captain with the Wichita Police Department. During October, 2020, Captain Germany, in the performance of his daily police duties had been in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19. On October 20, 2020, Captain Germany tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in ongoing respiratory and COVID-related medical issues. On July 9, 2021, after a lengthy, courageous battle with chronic respiratory failure, Captain Germany succumbed to medical complications resulting from his COVID exposure. Captain Germany is survived by his wife, six daughters, and one son.

• Officer David Leroy Ingle, Iola Police Department, End of Watch: January 4, 2022
  • David Leroy Ingle, age 52, a 12-year veteran police officer served with the City of Iola for the past 9 years. During mid to late December, 2021, Officer Ingle had been responding daily to work assignments and calls for service involving persons who had or were suspected of having COVID-19. Testing positive for COVID-19 on December 30, 2021, Officer Ingle was hospitalized and subsequently was transferred to Topeka for further medical treatment. On January 4, 2022, following a very short, courageous battle with the COVID virus, Officer Ingle succumbed to medical complications resulting from his COVID exposure. Officer Ingle is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.

• Deputy James Lucero, Ford County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch: January 3, 1922
  • James Lucero, age 49, served as a deputy sheriff with the Ford County Sheriff’s Office from October 19, 1921, until his death on January 3, 1922. Deputy Lucero also served as a special officer with the Santa Fe Railway. On January 2, 1922, Deputy Lucero responded to a death threat call, subsequently escorting the intoxicated suspect home. Shortly after arriving at the suspects home, the individual became violent. The inebriated suspect pulled a gun, shooting Deputy Lucero in the head at close range. Deputy Lucero succumbed to his gunshot wound the following day, January 3, 2022. Arrested and convicted of second degree murder, the suspect was sentenced to the Kansas State Penitentiary. At the time of his death, Deputy Lucero was survived by three young children.

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 2022, 226 officers were killed in the line of duty in the U.S., according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. So far in 2023, as of May 11, in the U.S., 37 officers have been killed in the line of duty.

CONTACT: Lieutenant Candice Breshears, Public Information Officer, (785) 296-6800