LABETTE COUNTY —The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response Division was asked to respond to Labette County, in southeast Kansas, to assist the Labette County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a missing 82-year-old Lynn S. Gregory who had been in a tractor at a low water crossing, according to the Fire Marshal's office.
The Labette County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area trying to locate Gregory and was later joined by the Parsons Fire Department, Bartlett Fire Department, Edna Fire Department, Labette County EMS, Altamont Police Department, and Kansas Wildlife & Parks.
Kansas Task Force 4 was deployed to assist in the search. KS-TF4 consists of agencies located in the southeast part of Kansas. 12 team members have been searching for two days, utilizing ATV’s, boats, wide area ground search as well as swift water technicians wearing dry suits walking the creek. A K-9 team from the Tulsa Fire Department and a K-9 team from Kansas Task Force have been assisting in the search efforts.
12 team members from KS-TF3 from the KC Metro Area and 12 members from KS-TF5 from south central Kansas are expected to deploy to the area on Friday, March 7, 2025, to relieve KS-TF4 and continue search efforts. The wind has hindered the use of UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
The terrain is difficult to maneuver so citizens are asked to stay away from the area for safety reasons. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Labette County Sheriff's Office at 620-795-2565.