Two Wyandotte County deputies who were slain were honored by Mayor David Alvey at a news conference on Saturday morning at City Hall in Kansas City, Kansas.
“We must look to the sacrifices of Deputy Rohrer and Deputy King and believe what they believed, that the fight for goodness and truth and justice is worth our very lives, every day of our lives, and we must be ever vigilant for the battle,” Alvey said. “Heroes are never forgotten.”
Alvey said there will be a candlelight vigil in memory of Deputy Patrick Rohrer and Deputy Theresa King at 8 p.m. Sunday in front of City Hall at 7th and Ann in Kansas City, Kansas. It will be open to the public.
“I challenge each one of us to move forward with the same spirit of self-giving that T.K. and Patrick showed to us yesterday,” Mayor Alvey said. “But let’s be clear, Deputy King and Deputy Rohrer did not just offer a total gift of themselves yesterday. They did it each and every day that they stepped out into our communities.”
Sheriff’s deputies and police officers do not just serve for their eight-hour shifts, Alvey said. They protect the public at all times and places.
Alvey mentioned the shooting of Deputy Scott Wood at a convenience store on his way home in 2015, and of Capt. Michael Howell defending the public at the Costco in Lenexa, Kansas, in 2017.
“Our law enforcement officers step up and step into the battle for justice, no matter where and when the battle is joined,” Alvey said.
“These were two bright, intelligent wonderful personalities,” Major Kelli Bailiff of the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department said. “They were an asset to our agency. They came to work everyday with a smile, willing to help out, willing to do anything. It’s a tremendous great loss to our agency.”
Deputy King has two older children and a small child, and Deputy Rohrer has two younger children, she said.
Sheriff Don Ash was out of town at the time of the shooting.
“It seems that Wyandotte County has really been hit hard lately,” Major Bailiff said. “We would just ask that everyone keep everyone in their prayers, from the family members to the community members, the deputies, their families, really to everyone right now. It’s also time for us to bind together as a community, and I think we begin that by being at the candlelight vigil. It’s time for us to begin the healing process, and basically, let’s just love one another and take time out and hug your family members, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.”
The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is investigating the case.
Police Chief Terry Zeigler said that further investigation has now determined that the van transporting the inmates was leaving the court hearing to go to the Wyandotte County Jail. The jail is across the street from the court services building.
The deputies were overcome by the suspect, who was handcuffed, according to officials. There were two inmates in the van, officials said, and they were shackled. The suspect was in the front of the van.
Major Bailiff said the deputies were following the proper procedure in the case. The Sheriff’s Department evaluates the procedures, she said.
The suspect in the case was shot multiple times. Zeigler said the suspect’s condition is stable, and the suspect was still in the hospital the last time he checked. Charges in the case had not been filed as of Saturday morning, Chief Zeigler said.
Major Bailiff said the community is safe and the incident occurred inside the gated area of the parking lot. The deputies followed procedure, securing the area with a chain before the incident occurred, she said.
Major Bailiff said there is currently a schedule in place to help the families of the deputies through the weekend, and community support may be needed for later.
There are plans to set up a community fund at a credit union for the families of the deputies, and an announcement will be made at a later time with the details, Major Bailiff said.
The deputies who were slain were wearing body cameras, according to a source.
