Thursday, May 5, 2011

Honoring Kansas' Fallen Officers

Tomorrow the Kansas law enforcement community will gather to celebrate the lives of, and mourn the loss of all of Kansas’ officers who have been lost in the line of duty. Three new names have been added to the Law Enforcement Monument on the Statehouse grounds, and these men will be honored in the years to come by their brothers and sisters in uniform.

The first two officers were dedicated professionals who died last year working to keep Kansans safe. The third officer is an officer from history, someone whose name was not yet on the monument, who was working to secure a safer Kansas nearly 99 years ago.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Officer Luke Nihart was killed in the early morning hours of June 26, 2010. He was working the annual Country Stampede at Tuttle Creek State Park, when the ATV he was operating crashed. He died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Nihart had served with the Department of Wildlife and Parks for 11 years.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Sam Smith was killed on July 23, 2010. Smith was responding to a domestic disturbance call when he lost control of his patrol vehicle and struck a tree. Smith died from the crash. He had served with Franklin County for nine months.

Santa Fe Railroad Special Officer G.W. Greenstreet was looking for thieves who had been stealing from rail cars in the train yard at Edgerton on the evening of June 17, 1912. During the search, he was struck by a train and killed.

When an officer is lost in the line of duty, the entire law enforcement community feels that loss, and we mourn that loss with the officer’s agency. Kansas communities have shown in the past that they, too, feel these losses and mourn with law enforcement. We all join to support the family and friends the officers left behind—husbands and wives; brothers and sisters; moms and dads; sons and daughters.

During this time, our agency also reflects on our 10 fallen brothers in blue that have made the ultimate sacrifice while working for a better Kansas. These 10 troopers who were lost in the line of duty were dedicated to their jobs. Each served bravely, and we reflect on them, not just every May, but throughout the year.

Remembering our fallen officers…
Trooper Maurice Plummer-End Of Watch December 16, 1944
Trooper Jimmie Jacobs-End Of Watch October 6, 1959
Trooper John McMurray-End Of Watch December 9, 1964
Lieutenant Bernard Hill-End Of Watch May 28, 1967
Sergeant Eldon Miller-End Of Watch January 19, 1968
Trooper James Thornton-End Of Watch October 2, 1973
Trooper Conroy O’Brien-End Of Watch May 24, 1978
Trooper Ferdinand “Bud” Pribbenow-End Of Watch July 11, 1981
Master Trooper Larry Huff-End Of Watch November 26, 1993
Master Trooper Dean Goodheart-End Of Watch September 6, 1995

From May 15-21, thousands of people will gather in Washington, D.C. in honor of National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15). Please join Kansas, and the rest of the nation, as we remember our fallen officers and say thank you for their sacrifice.