Sheriff Daniel Soptic
Biography
On December 23, 2021, Sheriff Daniel Soptic was sworn in as the Sheriff of Wyandotte County after a successful election.
Sheriff Soptic began his law enforcement career with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City Kansas Park Rangers in April of 2004. He attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and graduated with the 178th basic training class in 2005. Sheriff Soptic was promoted to Captain with the Park Rangers in 2007 and served as the night shift commander for most of his time in that position. In September of 2009 the Park Rangers merged with the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Soptic was transferred to investigations and assigned to Lieutenant of Investigations.
In 2013, Sheriff Soptic was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the Operations Division where he commanded both Patrol and Court transport. In December of 2016 he was promoted to the rank of Major and was assigned to the Community and Support Services Division where he oversaw the Records Division, Training Division, Taskforce Officers, Juvenile Intake and Assessment and Reserve Program. In 2020 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was appointed the Warden over the Adult Detention Center.
In 2017 he graduated from Ottawa University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement and he is also a Certified Public Manager. In 2018 he was accepted, attended and graduated from the FBI National Academy and is a proud graduate of the 271st Session.
Sheriff Soptic is a Turner High School graduate, as well as a 2019 graduate from Kansas University with his Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership.
During his time as a law enforcement officer Daniel Soptic served as a day shift commander, night shift commander, Kansas boating instructor, Property and Evidence custodian, Assistant Commander of the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and is certified in many specialized training subjects. Sheriff Soptic has been involved in many large projects to include sourcing and launching of the Sheriff’s Office Body Camera Program in 2014 and the redesign of the Courthouse Security Unit.
Personal
Sheriff Soptic has been married to his wife, Carla, since 2003 and they have one daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family at the lake and giving back to the community he grew up in through various boards and groups. Sheriff Soptic is particularly proud to be a board member for the Turner School District.
Undersheriff Emmett Lockridge
Biography
Undersheriff Emmett Lockridge has been with the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office since (2016) as the Records Unit Administrative Coordinator. In January 2022, Emmett assumed the role of Support Manager, with the responsibilities of Public Information Officer, Recruiter, Records Unit Manager and the newly formed Community Engagement Unit. On Thursday, June 16th, 2022, he was formally appointed as Undersheriff of Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office.
Prior to the Sheriff’s Office, Undersheriff Lockridge served 23 years at the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD). Undersheriff Lockridge retired as a decorated Senior Sergeant. His last assignment with KCKPD was as the supervisor of the Chief’s Office Professional Standards Unit, which encompassed Accreditation, Policy Review, PIO and Community Liaison.
Undersheriff Lockridge has spent his adult life serving our Country (6 yrs. U.S. Marine Corps, 2 yrs. Kansas National Guard); and City, 29 yrs. in Law Enforcement (KCKPD, WYCO Sheriff). He has proven to be committed to the safety of our Country and Community.
Personal
Undersheriff Lockridge is married to his wife Sherri and is the proud dad to four adult sons. With prayer and support from family & friends he has overcome and thrived against insurmountable challenges. Undersheriff Lockridge is a true fighter!