2007-19
PRESS RELEASE :  May 11 , 2007
FROM:   The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT:   Lieutenant John A. Eichkorn (785) 296-6800
Technical Trooper Edna Buttler (785) 296-6800

Blue Ribbons to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

The Kansas Highway Patrol is joining Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) to observe National Police Week from May 13 to May 19, as well as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day on May 18. COPS is a national non-profit organization for families of officers who died in the line of duty. Uniform and civilian members of the Patrol are tying blue ribbons to agency-owned vehicles during this special observance to honor fallen officers and their families.

"Each May, we reflect on those who have died in the line of duty during National Police Week. Although only one week of the year is set aside for this special remembrance, the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice are fresh in our thoughts and prayers every day," said Patrol Superintendent Colonel William Seck. "We remember the fallen men and women fondly, and each has left a legacy of bravery and honor with the law enforcement community. We also must remember and comfort their families, who were left with irreplaceable losses in their lives."

In 2006, 145 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States, according COPS and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Kansas sadly lost two officers in the line of duty in 2006.

Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy Cory Ricks was killed in a traffic crash on Jan. 16, 2006. He was transporting a juvenile prisoner from Garden City to Liberal when his vehicle struck a truck that was stopped and waiting to turn on US-83 in Haskell County.

Sheridan County Sheriff James Johnson was shot and killed on Oct. 26, 2006. Sheriff Johnson was interviewing a subject in his office in Hoxie when he was fatally shot. The individual was killed by a deputy responding to the incident.

A limited supply of official COPS ribbons will be available at many Kansas law enforcement agencies, including your local Kansas Highway Patrol troop headquarters. If the official COPS ribbons are not available, any 18-inch strip of royal blue ribbon will show your support.

In addition to participating in the blue ribbon campaign, the public is encouraged to attend the 25th Annual Kansas Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Service at 12 p.m., Friday, May 18 at the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial, located on the northeast corner of the Capitol Grounds, near S.W. 8th and Jackson. A parade will follow the ceremony in Downtown Topeka. In addition, there is a Candlelight Vigil at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 17 at the memorial.

The names of nine officers are being added to the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial this year, including Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Cory Ricks. The others are ATF Special Agent William Edward Smith (1937), Union Pacific Special Agent George Shindle (1916), and Santa Fe Special Officers Oscar G. Bodley (1906), Edward Lee Bowler (1926), John P. Cates (1911), George C. Montgomery (1901), Earl Scothorn (1927), and Roy W. Stewart (1926).

KHP "Roll of Honor"

Trooper Maurice R. Plummer was the first member of the Patrol to be killed in the line of duty. Trooper Plummer was fatally injured in an automobile crash while patrolling US-40 about five miles west of Russell on Dec. 16, 1944.

Trooper Jimmie D. Jacobs was fatally injured in an automobile crash Oct. 8, 1959, on US-54 east of El Dorado. Trooper Jacobs was on an emergency run transporting blood for an immediate surgery in Eureka when he collided with a grain truck that turned in front of his patrol car.

Trooper John B. McMurray was fatally injured in an automobile crash Dec. 6, 1964, on K-18 west of Manhattan. Trooper McMurray was stowing a camera in the trunk of his patrol car, which was parked on the shoulder of the highway, when an intoxicated driver struck him. He died as a result of his injuries on Dec. 9, 1964.

Lieutenant Bernard C. Hill suffered fatal injuries as the result of an automobile crash May 28, 1967, on the Kansas Turnpike near Andover. A driver hydroplaned during a severe thunderstorm and lost control of his car and a car it was towing. The cars crossed the median of the turnpike and struck Lieutenant Hill’s patrol car head-on.

Sergeant Eldon K. Miller was shot and fatally injured on Jan. 19, 1968, while taking part in a manhunt for bank robbery suspects in Overland Park. Sergeant Miller, the first Patrol member to be killed by gunfire, was fatally shot while moving a patrol car to protect officers who were pinned down by gunfire.

Trooper James D. Thornton was shot and fatally injured on Oct. 2, 1973, while checking a hitchhiker on Interstate 70 at the east edge of Topeka. The man, wanted for the murder of his father in New York, was later shot and killed by other officers when he refused to surrender.

Trooper Conroy G. O’Brien was shot and fatally injured on May 24, 1978, after stopping a car for a traffic violation on the Kansas Turnpike near Matfield Green. Three suspects were apprehended after a vehicle chase, gun battle, and massive manhunt south of Herington.

Trooper Ferdinand F. "Bud" Pribbenow was shot and fatally injured on July 7, 1981, after stopping a man for driving 98 miles per hour on the Kansas Turnpike near El Dorado. The suspect was wounded and apprehended after a short pursuit and gun battle with officers near the Kellogg Turnpike interchange in east Wichita.

Master Trooper Larry L. Huff was injured in an automobile crash on Nov. 3, 1993. He was patrolling US-81 south of Concordia when his vehicle was struck broadside by a semi-truck as he was attempting to turn around in pursuit of a traffic violator. He died as a result of his injuries on Nov. 26, 1993.

Master Trooper Dean A. Goodheart was fatally injured in an automobile crash at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 6, 1995, on Interstate 70 near Oakley. As a member of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, Goodheart was performing a routine truck safety inspection when a passing car struck him.