Tributes poured in today as community residents mourned the death of a Kansas City, Kan., detective killed in the line of duty Monday.
A Kansas City, Kan., police spokesman identified the slain detective as Brad Lancaster, a veteran of the police force since 2007.
A public memorial candlelighting event is planned at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kansas City, Kan., City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., to honor Detective Lancaster.
Officer Amber Thomas-Hickerson, public information officer, remembered Lancaster as a very well-liked member of the police department.
“He was just an all-around good guy, he didn’t have an enemy and would help anybody with anything, very smart, very caring, a wonderful father, great detective, just an all-around good guy,” Thomas-Hickerson said. “He will be greatly missed.”
He leaves a wife and two young daughters.
The Kansas City, Kan., Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 4, made this statement:
“The community of Kansas City, Kansas, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge # 4 mourns the passing of a true hero, Detective Brad Lancaster. Det. Lancaster was a nine (9) year decorated member of the Department, and a talented and tenacious detective. But most importantly, he was a husband, a father, a brother and a friend. His actions today were indicative of the police officer that he was, always willing to run towards danger, and confront those seeking to harm others. His death reminds us of the sacrifice the fine men and women of law enforcement make every day. Detective Lancaster placed his life at risk so that we would be safe, and in the end, he made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We celebrate Detective Lancaster’s life and his commitment to the cause of justice. He will never be forgotten.”
Mayor Mark Holland’s statement: “I am deeply saddened by the death of KCK Police Detective Brad Lancaster, who was shot yesterday as he attempted to stop a carjacking near Kansas Speedway. Detective Lancaster’s death reminds us that our community depends on the first responders—many brave men and women—who daily risk their lives for our safety. He demonstrated that bravery, and his sworn commitment to keeping us safe, when he stood in harm’s way to do his job, losing his life in the process.
“My heart and my prayers go out to Detective Lancaster’s family, friends, fellow officers and all others who are grieving his death. Please join me as we come together to support those most intimately affected by this tragic loss to our community, including the fire department personnel and fellow police officers who rushed to his aid and did everything possible to try and save their colleague’s life.”
The Piper schools today are assisting students and staff in dealing with grief.
Piper Superintendent of Schools Tim Conrad had this statement: “The Piper USD 203 family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our parents and member of the KCK Police Department as a result of the tragic incident that has occurred. We at Piper USD 203 open our hearts to the family and other police families within our district and community of Piper. The School District Crisis Team will be at Piper East Elementary and West Elementary Tuesday, May 10, beginning at 8 a.m. in the library in order to assist those in our district (students and staff) and community members during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and to the rest of those who work to provide safety for our community each and every day.”
Gov. Sam Brownback has ordered flags in Wyandotte County to be flown at half-staff from sun-up Tuesday, May 10, through sun-down Wednesday, May 11, to honor Detective Brad Lancaster. The governor’s statement:
“On behalf of all the citizens of Kansas, Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer and I, along with our families, extend our deepest sympathies to Detective Lancaster’s family. Our prayers are with his family, friends and the entire law enforcement community.”
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today released this statement:
“Kansas mourns the senseless death of yet another dedicated law enforcement officer in the line of duty. My thoughts and prayers go out to Detective Brad Lancaster’s family and friends and to all the men and women who serve in the KCK Police Department.”
Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren has issued this statement:
“On behalf of the staff at Kansas Speedway, I want to express my condolences to the family and friends of Kansas City, Kansas Detective Brad Lancaster, and also to the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD). Detective Lancaster was a part of the Kansas Speedway family since 2008, working with us during our race weekends, and we were saddened to learn of his passing as he was protecting the community he served.
“We work closely with the police officers in our area and we appreciate everything they do to keep our community safe, along with the police officers across the country who serve and protect their respective communities. We will keep Detective Lancaster’s family, friends and fellow KCKPD officers in our thoughts and prayers, along with his brothers and sisters in blue across the country.”
Alvin Sykes, a Kansas City, Kan., resident, human rights worker and member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Public Safety, stated: “I am so very sorry for the tragic loss of KCKPD Detective Brad Lancaster who gave his precious life while serving and protecting our community. Every year that I participate in the KCKPD memorial service, as I ironically planned to do again tomorrow before it was postponed due to the murder of Detective Lancaster, I pray that we do not have to add another fallen officer’s name to the memorial wall.
“I am so sad that we have another officer’s family and our community together mourning the loss of another good guy.”