By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
After more than four decades of service, Lawrence "Jug" Younger's legacy endures in the Hays Police Department he helped build and the officers he shaped.
Younger passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Hays Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.
Younger was born July 17, 1938, in Hays to Lawrence Sr. and Anna Younger. Growing up with four sisters, Younger loved fishing at Big Creek and shooting his BB gun.
Younger was essentially born into the Hays Police Department, as his father served as chief of police from 1950 to 1955, according to current Chief Don Scheibler.
As a high school freshman at age 14, Younger met his future wife, Louise Walburn. The couple married on May 19, 1957, in Great Bend, and later raised five children and served as surrogate parents to many others over the years.
Younger began his career with the Hays Police Department on Feb. 3, 1958, rising through the ranks before being named chief of police in 1982 after 24 years of service. He led the department from 1982 to 2002, making him the longest-serving chief in its history.
Scheibler was hired by Younger in 1993 and served under him for the remainder of Younger’s law enforcement career.
"His life was dedicated to protecting this community," Scheibler said.
Younger’s leadership led to the creation of several specialized units that remain active today, such as the Hays Police Special Situation Response Team, the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit and the bike patrol.
"His fingerprint is all over the Hays Police Department. For 20 years, he was chief. He was leading, guiding and directing us," Scheibler said.
Scheibler said many officers hired under Younger later advanced into leadership positions across Kansas law enforcement, including serving as lieutenants and captains with the Kansas Highway Patrol.
One example is retired KHP Captain and WaKeeney Police Chief Travis Phillips, who began his law enforcement career with the Hays Police Department on Sept. 3, 1991. He joined the KHP in 1994 and became WaKeeney chief in 2025.
"He gave me my first chance to make a difference. ... I was always really impressed with his presence," Phillips said.
Phillips described Younger as a hands-on leader who led by example. He recalls times when Younger showed up during large parties near the Fort Hays State University campus to help disperse crowds before anyone was hurt.
"It was neat that the chief of police actually came down to help because you wouldn't expect that out of somebody in his position," Phillips said.
Phillips said Younger was consistently supportive and taught him lessons that he still carries with him today in his role as chief.
Scheibler said, "Time and time again, people that he hired went on to be very successful. The foundation he set with everyone about having a strong work ethic and putting in the time and effort was instrumental in our success."
Former Hays police officer and KHP Lt. Dennis Dinkel said Younger set high standards and was a strong supporter of the officers who served under him.
"Chief Younger had your back. If somebody said something that wasn't true, he was the first one to stand there and back you up," Dinkel said.
Younger hired Dinkel in 1992, and he served under Younger until joining the KHP in 2001.
"That department laid a great foundation for anybody who started their law enforcement career there. Younger taught you to do it the right way," Dinkel said.
Scheibler said Younger was straightforward and tough but deeply cared for his officers and the community. After Younger retired, Jim Brown succeeded him as chief, followed later by Scheibler.
"Once I became chief, he and I began to have conversations as a friend and a mentor," Scheibler said. "He listened to me and gave me ideas... more often than not, he'd tell me to suck it up because that's what you signed up for."
"He was a shining example of how to be a chief of police, but also how to be a husband."
Hays Police Lt. Brandon Wright said he was the last officer Younger hired in September 2001. Wright worked with him for only about a month. Wright said their connection later centered on a shared interest in police pistol competitions, which Younger was passionate about.
"He knows I'm a shooter. Every time we crossed paths, we'd always talk about whether I'm still shooting, if I've gone to any competitions lately, and about the department's team," Wright said.
Former Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin worked alongside Younger from about 1980 until his retirement, spanning more than two decades.
"We worked together when we needed to. Neither one of us would turn each other down if we needed help or assistance," Harbin said.
Harbin said they didn’t always agree, but he still regarded Younger as a great asset to law enforcement and someone you could have a cup of coffee with. He remembers his grin and sense of humor the most.
"He was kind of like a fishing buddy at times," Harbin said.
Phillips, Dinkel, Harbin and Wright said one of the last times they saw Younger was when they gathered to honor the passing of Scott Heimann in the fall 2025.
During his retirement, Younger spent much of his time working on projects in and around the home and enjoying time with his children, their spouses, and his 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Younger was also a member of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police and the Kansas Peace Officers Association.
"I will always be grateful for his passion for law enforcement, commitment to protecting his community, and the sacrifice that not only he made, but his family has made as well—a lifetime of sacrifice in serving the community. We should recognize that and we should be grateful for that," Scheibler said.
Younger's funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today at the First United Methodist Church in Hays. You can read the full obituary here.