A moving ceremony honored slain Deputies Patrick Rohrer and Theresa “T.K.” King tonight in front of Kansas City, Kansas, City Hall.
Relatives of the slain deputies were present at the candlelight vigil, as were many law enforcement personnel.
Speaking at the event were Mayor David Alvey, Sheriff Don Ash and Gov. Jeff Colyer. Also in attendance were Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder.
“We come together to comfort and console all those who knew them and who must now go on without them,” Mayor Alvey said. “We all know that our words of comfort and consolation cannot replace the sound of their voices. We know that our words of comfort and consolation cannot replace the smiles on their faces, nor the touch of their hands.”
He continued, “Our words seem faint, even powerless, our hugs cannot last long enough, and even our tears for Patrick and Theresa and for one another cannot fully express our deep sadness and our deep care. But God our father knows what is moving in our hearts, knows that we would move heaven and earth to make this all right again. Our father knows how deeply and powerfully we desire to bring to one another the goodness that each one of us hungers for at this very moment.”
Gov. Jeff Colyer said that 3 million Kansans are the poorer today for the loss of the deputies.
“They were the ones who chose to stand between good and evil, and they chose to stand there, to put their life on the line, because they loved each and every person that was there, that was standing behind them. They were protecting all of us, they were protecting our children, our seniors, every one of us. These were lives that touched so many, these were lives that we will never forget.”
Gov. Colyer praised the two deputies and their contributions to the community.
“The very best of Kansas was right here and is no longer with us,” he said.
To the families, Gov. Colyer said, “We are with you, we will stay with you, we remember you, we celebrate your families, and I know that they will always watch over you.”
Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash said, “We will not let this evil that has been perpetrated upon us divide us any further.”
He pledged to continue support for the families of the slain deputies.
“This work is a divine calling,” Sheriff Ash said about law enforcement work.
He quoted a sheriff’s deputy who wrote that the officers’ law enforcement authority has been delegated to them by God.
Quoting from the Bible, he said, “Those who resist (authority) will incur judgment.”
Sheriff Ash also told those present not to avenge themselves but to leave it to God.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” Ash quoted from the Bible.
Ash said that sometime in the future, the suspect may return to the Wyandotte County Jail, and “we will do our duty as appointed by God.” That includes feeding and housing him.
To the law enforcement and detention officers, he said, continuing with the message, “We recognize who and what the uniform represents and sharpen up accordingly. We review policy a little more often. We obey the chain of command. We commit to a couple more trips to the range this year, getting center mass down very well. And then practicing a few head shots, like the ones perpetrated on our deputies. We work out, starting out slow and light if necessary. Game faces every day, in great humility, recognizing the awesome power behind us.”
He said the deputy’s letter was in line with a lot of the things he had been considering this week.
“Let us not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good,” Ash said in a prayer.
Detective Danon Vaughn sang a touching rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
A wind that provided needed relief from the 90-plus degree heat made it impossible to light candles that were provided to the audience. Improvising, Mayor Alvey suggested that the audience turn on the lights on their cell phones and hold them up, with the candles.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department placed a large flag over the plaza in front of City Hall during the ceremony. The buildings there will be lit in blue at night.
One of the more than 1,000 persons attending the candlelight vigil, Denise Smithhisler, said she was there to show support for police and sheriff’s deputies, to show her love for Wyandotte County and the community. She liked the message to overcome evil with good.
“A very tragic event, and the community showed up,” said Scott Mackey, who attended the event. He is on the Wyandotte County Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
Scott Lamaster with “Taking It to the Streets,” and volunteers handed out 1,000 water bottles to those in attendance.
“It’s a tragic event,” Lamaster said. “I’m glad to be able to support the KCK police, Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department. All the municipalities are here showing their support for our fallen heroes.”
The funeral services for the two deputies will be Wednesday and Thursday. For details, see https://wyandotteonline.com/funeral-arrangements-announced-for-slain-deputies/.
A fund to assist the families will be announced later by the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department.
Story and photos by Mary Rupert
