By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
On Sgt. Scott William Heimann Remembrance Day today, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler announced the police department will officially retire the fallen officer's badge and radio number, No. 512.
Fellow officers and Heimann's family gathered in front of the soon-to-be-open new police station for a ceremonial posting of the colors.
All flags have been ordered to be flown at half staff in Hays today in honor of Heimann, who was killed a year ago today while setting a perimeter for a barricaded suspect as a member of the HPD’s Special Situation Response Team.
"He represented the values we ask of all law enforcement officers: service before self, loyalty to one another, compassion for the people we serve and a steadfast willingness to answer the call," Scheibler said.
"No words can fully measure the cost of his sacrifice to fill the space left by his assets, but we can assure that his name, his service and his legacy remains present in the life of the Hays Police Department."
Heimann's name will forever remain on the Hays Police Department roster in honor of his ultimate sacrifice.
"Scott's family, please know that Scott will never be forgotten," Scheibler said. "He remains part of every shift, every SSRT call out, every training day, every call answered, every effort we make to serve this community with integrity and courage to members of the Hays Police Department."
HPD officers will wear their mourning badges today.
"Let them remind us of responsibility to one another, to our community, and to the memory of Sgt. Heimann. May we honor Scott not only through this ceremony, but through the way we conduct ourselves, support one another and carry forward the mission he believed in," Scheibler said.
"Sgt. Scott William Heimann, your watch is ended, but your legacy endures," he said.
Officers, family and friends honored Heimann with a moment of silence in the pre-dawn hour.
"512 will not be forgotten," Scheibler said.
At the end of today, the flag on display at the new police station will be retired and placed on display at the station in honor of Heimann.
"Sgt. Scott William Heimann was a hero, and he will not be forgotten. We will never forget his service, his sacrifice and the examples he set for those who wear the badge," Scheibler said.
Heimann, 32, had served with the Hays police department since 2016 and was known for his community service.
He is survived by his wife, Beth, and two young children.
His name was also added to the Kansas Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial in Topeka this spring, and he was posthumously honored by Point 27 and as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber in Hays.