In a community candlelight vigil tonight, Detective Brad D. Lancaster was remembered as a son, brother, uncle, husband and law enforcement officer.
The Kansas City, Kan., City Hall plaza was filled with a large turnout of people, including many law enforcement officers, in support of Detective Lancaster’s widow and family. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who earlier today issued a statement of support for the detective’s family, attended the candlelight vigil.
With prayers, songs, speeches, a candlelighting and condolences expressed to the family, the vigil helped ease the sorrow of the community. Members of Detective Lancaster’s family lit candles and then brought the lights to the rest of the gathering.
Showing support for Detective Lancaster’s family was on the minds of many people who were attending.
Police Chief Terry Zeigler said while the next few days will be very difficult for the community and city, there has been a community and nationwide outpouring of support for the detective’s family.
“As we go through we’re going to have to lean on each other and get through the next several days,” Chief Ziegler said. “We’re all hurting.
“As we go through it, lean on each other, support one another, love one another and keep Brad’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” Chief Ziegler said.
“Those who introduced me to Brad told me of his playing with baby Caden just a short time just before he was shot yesterday, mentioned that he liked to visit the candy bowl in the transcriber’s office, and related that he was a jokester and an upbeat person,” Sister Therese Bangert said. “Explained also that he put himself in harm’s way yesterday because he spontaneously decided to assist a call for help from his police brothers.”
“Even suffering, pain, doubts and fears cannot extinguish God’s light,” she said.
The Rev. Mary Bolan, minister of Weston (Mo.) Christian Church, where Detective Lancaster grew up, provided selected gospel readings about the good shepherd and eternal life.
Officer Dustin Dierenfeldt sang “Amazing Grace” during the candlelight vigil.
Mayor Pro Tem Hal Walker said it was clear through Detective Lancaster’s life what great service Detective Lancaster gave to this community.
Walker said he hoped in 1998 that it would be the last time he would see a death of a police officer.
“Knowing that we ask them to go out every day in what really is in harm’s way makes it very difficult for me personally and for my fellow commissioners to accept that this is a necessary request that we make of them,” Walker said. “We hope that we prepare them and do everything necessary to put them in the best possible position.”
“When you look out and see how well the community has turned out tonight, it speaks volumes, not only about Detective Lancaster, but about the people we are,” Walker said. “We will miss Detective Lancaster, we will never get over the loss of him under such senseless circumstances, and I hope that his wife, his mother, his children, his family, his friends can take comfort in knowing these people are here because they cared about the loss, and they loved him. He inspired people to be better. “
Walker said Mayor Mark Holland will be speaking at the funeral service.
The other Unified Government commissioners were also in attendance and all were showing support for the detective’s family.
UG Commissioner Ann Murguia said, “This is a very harsh reminder of the level of sacrifice our public safety officers make for our community.”
“I’m so glad to see the turnout today,” UG Commissioner Angela Markley said. It’s important to remember that Detective Lancaster’s children and family will need the community’s support not just this week, but also for the long haul, she added. “They’ve suffered a long-term loss.”
Visitation for Detective Lancaster will be Friday, May 13, and the funeral will be Saturday, May 14.
The visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Trinity Community Church, 5010 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at Children’s Mercy Park, a soccer stadium where Sporting KC plays at 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kan. (near I-70 and I-435 intersection). Parking will be available at Kansas Speedway.
Ceremonial honors will follow the funeral service.
A memorial fund for Detective Lancaster’s family has been established at Greater KC Public Safety Credit Union locations and at KCK Police headquarters.
