In Memoriam
We respectfully pay tribute to those Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputies whose lives were cut tragically short while serving in the line of duty.
Theresa Sue King
Deputy Theresa Sue King died on June 16th, 2018. On June 15th, she and Deputy Rohrer were transporting an inmate to a court hearing at the Wyandotte County Corrections and Court Services Building. As the deputies were escorting the prisoner from the transport van to the building, the inmate attacked them. He was able to disarm one of the deputies and shot them both. One of the deputies was able to return fire and wound the inmate so he was not able to escape custody. Deputy King succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Patrick Thomas Rohrer
Deputy Patrick Thomas Rohrer died on June 15th, 2018. He and Deputy Theresa King were transporting an inmate to a court hearing at the Wyandotte County Correction and Court Services Building. As the deputies were escorting the prisoner from the transport van to the building, the inmate attacked them. He was able to disarm one of the deputies and shot them both. One of the deputies was able to return fire and wound the inmate so he was not able to escape custody. Deputy Rohrer succumbed to his wounds the same day.
James L. Reynolds
Deputy James L. Reynolds died on August 4th, 1984. Reynolds was a full-time booking officer but was voluntarily working with officers on the motorcycle unit. While in pursuit of a fleeing traffic offender, Reynolds lost control of his motorcycle and died as a result of massive internal injuries.
Thomas W. Mendina
Deputy Thomas W. Medina died on March 4th, 1956. Medina was called to assist another deputy who was investigating two men who were stopped on the side of highway K-32. As he opened his car door to exit his patrol car, he was struck by a passing car and died. The driver of the vehicle was later convicted of driving under the influence.
Wesley G. Walden
Deputy Wesley G. Walden died on November 19th, 1955. On Walden's nineteenth day on the force, he and another deputy were responding to an accident call at approximately 4 a.m. when their patrol vehicle struck the rear of a truck parked along the side of the road. The driver of the truck had pulled over to help another motorist but had left the back of their truck protruding onto the road. Walden was killed in the accident and the other deputy was severely injured.
Maurice Bedell
Deputy Maurice Bedell died on August 29th, 1954. Bedell was on patrol with his partner Louis LeManske when he was flagged down by a robbery victim who pointed out a field where his assailants were hiding. The suspects were taken into custody, but on the way to the station one of the suspects obtained LeManske's revolver and shot and killed Deputy Bedell.
Frank Rohrbach
Deputy Frank Rohrbach died on August 6th, 1931. He was responding to a citizen call to investigate two men who were observed with guns in their cars. The deputy successfully removed three guns from the vehicle and one from one of the suspects, but was fatally shot by the second suspect as he continued to search. It was nearly five years before the two suspects were apprehended.
Charles Q. Luken
Charles Q. Luken died on December 12th, 1909. Deputy Luken was attempting to serve divorce papers to a Charles T. Galloway. Galloway resisted and ran from the officer, firing his .38 caliber revolver while he ran. Two bullets struck Luken and killed him.