Law enforcement agencies across the country are observing National Police Week, a time set aside to honor officers who have died in the line of duty and to show support for those who continue to serve.
President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962 designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Since then, communities nationwide have held events in recognition of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers.
The annual Candlelight Vigil, a hallmark of the week, will take place Tuesday from 8 to 10 p.m. on the National Mall in Washington. During the ceremony, high-ranking government officials and others will read aloud the names of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The event will be streamed live on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s YouTube, Facebook and X platforms. More details can be found at nleomf.org.
In Kansas, several local observances are scheduled to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15.
In Rice County, the Sheriff’s Office will observe Peace Officers Memorial Day with a ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday in the front parking lot of the agency’s headquarters.
Harvey County will hold a remembrance ceremony Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Law Enforcement Center at 120 E. Seventh St. in Newton. Officials there said the ceremony provides an opportunity to reflect and honor those who gave their lives in service.
“We’re proud of the work of our deputies here at the sheriff’s office, as well as the local departments throughout our county,” a Harvey County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said. “Thank you for what you do for our residents.”
In Reno County, the Hutchinson Police Department and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office will host a ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday at the Law Enforcement Center.
McPherson County held its memorial service Wednesday evening.
Peace Officers Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement and the enduring legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of public safety.
Here is a list of the fallen officers in the Hutch Post-area
Reno County
Reno County Sheriff’s Office
Undersheriff Edward Metz – Jan. 7, 1901
|Undersheriff Metz was killed after being run over by a Missouri Pacific passenger train. Undersheriff Metz was boarding the train for Wellington where he was to testify in a horse thief trial. His body was found with his legs and hand severed. Although there were signs of a struggle it is not known for sure whether his death was accidental or a result of a crime.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Fowler – Dec. 11, 1910
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Fowler was shot and killed while transporting a subject to jail. He had just arrested the man following a stakeout of burglary tools in Hutchinson. When the man arrived at the scene Deputy Fowler arrested him. The suspect attempted to bribe Deputy Fowler as he was being driven to jail. When Deputy Fowler refused the bribe the man produced a pistol and fired a warning shot. As Deputy Fowler reached for his own gun the man shot him. The suspect was apprehended in Ottawa, Kansas, in April of 1911. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On July 11, 1916, he was hospitalized in critical condition after he was stabbed by a fellow inmate. Many newspaper reports stating he could not live were wrong. He recovered after six weeks in the hospital. Deputy Fowler was survived by four sons. He was preceded in death by his wife.
Hutchinson Police Department
Officer Reason Sherman Monroe – July 3, 1924
On July 2nd, 1924, Officer Reason Sherman Monroe went to Brubaker Grocery store, located at 123 S. Adams, to locate a suspect who had earlier pistol whipped his wife. When Officer Monroe confronted the suspect, the suspect picked up his four-year-old son and used him as a shield, as he shot at Officer Monroe.
Officer Monroe refused to return fire in fear that he would strike the young child, and he was shot multiple times. Officer Monroe was transported to Grace Methodist hospital, located at 7th and Main, where he died from his injuries on July 3rd,1924. Officer Reason Sherman Monroe, end of watch July 3rd, 1924.
Officer Kenneth Kennedy – Sept. 15, 1972
On Friday, September 15th, 1972, Officer Kenneth Kennedy and Reserve Officer Michael Coldren went to 918 South Plum in plain clothes and attempted to buy liquor in violation of the law.
After the undercover purchase of illegal liquor, the officers attempted to arrest the male suspect, and a fight ensued. A female exited the kitchen area during the struggle and shot both officers.
Officer Ken Kennedy return fire and struck the female suspect twice. Officer Kennedy pulled the trigger two more times on his revolver but did not have the strength to have the hammer fall. Officer Ken Kennedy succumbed to his injuries and died on scene.
Officer Coldren was rendered unconscious from a gunshot to the head and when he regained consciousness summoned help. The section of K-61 that runs through Hutchinson was named in honor of Officer Kennedy. Officer Kenneth Kennedy, end of watch September 15th, 1972.
McPherson County
McPherson Police Department
Charles Marrion Bruce - March 14, 1933
Night Chief Charles Bruce was shot and killed after interrupting a burglary at a local gas station.
After informing the owner of the station, he returned to the location and found several men in front of the business. They opened fire on him, fatally wounding him. The suspects were later shot and killed by a posse.
Chief Bruce was a United States Army WWI veteran. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
Martin H. Grant - Feb. 12, 1937
Night Chief Grant suffered a fatal heart shortly after struggling with a suspect. He had responded to a cafe at North Main Street and struggled with a disorderly patron. He was able to place the man under arrest and took him to the City Jail.
Chief Grant began to feel sick shortly after midnight and collapsed shortly thereafter.
Harvey County
Harvey County Sheriff's Office
Kurt Andrew Ford - April 9, 2006
Deputy Sheriff Kurt Ford was shot and killed while conducting a forced entry during a hostage situation at 131 SE 14th Street in Newton.
The hostage situation stemmed from a domestic disturbance earlier in the evening. When officers arrived at the home the male subject took a female subject hostage. Deputy Ford and other members of the Harvey County Emergency Response Team responded to the scene. Three hours into the standoff the subject started attacking the hostage. The ERT team made a forced entry into the home and was met with gunfire from the man, who was armed with two handguns.
Deputy Ford was struck in the head and fatally wounded. Another member of the team, a detective with the Hesston Police Department, was shot twice and wounded. The subject remained barricaded in the home for an additional five hours before surrendering.
The subject, a convicted felon, had a history of domestic violence reports at his home. Police later found multiple weapons at the scene. The man was convicted of capital murder on June 28th, 2006, and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Ford had just returned to law enforcement to serve with the Harvey County Sheriff's Office four months earlier. He had previously served in law enforcement for 13 years with multiple agencies in Kansas and Colorado. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Newton Police Department
Albert J. DuFriend - Nov. 22, 1928
Night Chief DuFriend died after being stricken by internal hemorrhaging while responding to a store robbery with another officer.
The hemorrhaging was brought on by a combination of the excitement of the call and his asthma.
Assistant Chief Harry L Bolin - June 17, 1932
Assistant Chief Bolin was killed in an automobile accident while following a car he suspected of transporting illegal whiskey.
To avoid detection, he was driving without headlights on and ran off the road into a ditch.
Kingman County
Kingman Police Department
Captain Larry Berry - April 15, 1973
Captain Larry Beery was shot and killed while checking on business doors in the early morning.
The suspect(s) fled the scene and were never identified. They remain at large.
Captain Beery was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Kingman Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
He is buried at Clear Creek Cemetery in Leon County, Texas.
Pratt County
Pratt Police Department
Officer William Henry Rich
Officer Rich was struck and killed by a vehicle while painting a "No U-turn" sign on a street at 1 a.m.
Rice County
Rice County Sheriff's Office
Deputy William Henry Everett - Nov. 24, 1954
Deputy William Everett was struck and killed by a drunk driver after responding to the scene of an accident on the Little Arkansas bridge of U.S. Highway 50.
When he arrived, he found debris in the roadway but could not locate the driver or the vehicle. The driver had returned to the accident scene to see the damage to the bridge. When he returned, he struck Deputy Everett, severing his leg. Deputy Everett bled to death at the scene of the incident.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Deputy Everett was intoxicated. He pled guilty to fourth-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to two years.
Deputy Everett was a United States World War I veteran and had served with the Rice County Sheriff's Office for 2 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.