By TONY GUERRERO/
CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Hays on Tuesday to welcome fallen officer Sgt. Scott Heimann home
A law enforcement escort traveled from Wichita (where he had been taken for medical treatment), through Salina, and entered Hays via South U.S. 183, turning east on 27th Street and proceeded throughout the town. The convoy concluded at Hays Memorial Chapel, 1906 Pine St.
On Sept. 27 at 10:58 p.m., the Hays Police Department responded to a domestic violence call in the 2200 block of Downing Street. Upon arrival, the suspect fired at Heimann, who later succumbed to injuries at the scene.
SEE RELATED STORY: City of Hays identifies Sgt. killed in weekend shooting
SEE RELATED STORY: City of Hays officer killed in the line of duty
Mia of Hays is the niece of Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede. Gaede was killed in the line of duty in June when he responded to a report of illegal, non-consumer-grade fireworks being detonated.
Mia said she wanted to pay tribute to Heimann.
Employees of the Northwest Area Agency on Aging gathered down the street from their office on Hall Street to await the escort's arrival.
“Officer Hiemann had been up at our office before helping us out with some other things, and we all have a special connection with him and the officers we have in the community,” said Michell Morgan of the Northwest Area Agency on Aging.
"We just wanted to let them know that we support him, and we support all of the other officers and appreciate everything they do."
A couple from Hays said they came to support the sacrifice Heimann made, as well as all other law enforcement officers.
"We appreciate the sacrifice that all the police officers do, especially the sacrifice that officer Heimann did. We just wanted to do what we could do to offer our support," said Dan Loftus, who attended with his wife Katie.
A group of Fort Hays State University criminal justice students gathered at 13th and Main Street to pay their respects.
"We're here to show the family and law enforcement that they have a family outside of their co-workers and their own immediate family," one student said.
Another student connected the incident to their goal of becoming a therapist for law enforcement officers, while another said Heimann’s passing felt personal.
"My uncle was a police officer, and he was also killed in the line of duty," she said.
"We lost one of the good ones," a different student said.
The students said they did not personally know Heinmann but recognized his presence in the community through his involvement and contributions. They also emphasized the importance of encouraging victims to report domestic violence.
