By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler at a Wednesday night vigil for Sgt. Scott Heimann said that his deep faith had been shaken in the wake of the Sunday killing in the line of duty of one of his officers.
He added he continued to find comfort in the word of God.
Heimann served on the Hays Police Department since 2016, all of those years under the direction of Scheibler. He was serving as a patrol sergeant when he was killed, having recently been promoted.
Mourners gathered Wednesday night at the Thomas More Prep-Marian grotto for a candlelight vigil for Heimann. Many of them were his peers dressed in uniform. The Kansas Highway Patrol offered a special escort for the family.
"Scott was an amazing and talented man," Scheibler said. "He was kind and compassionate and caring in all that he did. Scott was so smart, so strong. He had an amazing sense of humor.
"If Scott were here, he would tell you he was handsome too," Scheibler said, which brought giggles from the crowd.
He said Heimann could have done anything in the world and been successful. He wanted to be a Hays Police officer.
"He wanted to stand on the wall and protect this community," Scheibler said. "I think it's important that you know that he wanted to protect you."
He said this made him successful throughout his career. Scheibler said he was a strong leader and a mentor for the Hays Police Department.
Scheibler said Heimann joked with him that he was keeping the seat warm for him, as Scott hoped to one day be the chief of the Hays Police Department.
"Scott impacted our community in so many ways," he said, "By reading books to children in the library, giving knuckle bumps as kids walked to school, wrestling drunks in the bar, to responding to the most dangerous threats in our community."
Scheibler's voice began to waver, "During the last few days, as my thoughts dwell on Scott, I'm reminded of the Bible verse Isiah 6:8.
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom should I send? Who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here I am.'"
"When evil came to our community that night, like so many other times for the members of the Special Situation Response Team, he left his family, he left the comfort and safety of his home and raised his hand and said, 'Here I am.'"
He called Heimann his friend, his brother in blue and his hero.
"... not because of how he fell, but how he lived to serve," Scheibler said. "I find assurance in Matthew 5:9. 'Blessed are the peacemakers because they will be called the children of God.'"
He called Heimann the ultimate peacemaker.
"God bless Scott, and may the example of his life bring peace to us all," Scheibler said.
Heimann, 32, was a 2012 graduate of TMP, the Catholic middle and high school in Hays. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays and was noted by many as a devout Catholic.
Fr. Fred Gatschet spoke to the mourners, "This evening we are going to acknowledge the hurt, the sense of loss, the grief, the anger, the frustration with the whole situation. As we go through the vigil tomorrow and the funeral, we will interject more hope and consolation."
Gatschet read Psalm 22, which was the Psalm that Jesus cited when he was on the cross.
The Psalm begins, "My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, my cries of anguish?"
As the Psalm continues, it says, "but you, oh Lord, do not stay far off. My strength comes quickly to help me, deliver my soul from the sword."
He concluded by quoting St. Theresa of Avila, "Let nothing upset you. Let nothing startle you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience wins all that it seeks. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone is enough."
Mayor Sandy Jacobs called Heimann a brave soul who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"On behalf of the city, my fellow commissioners and city staff, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends and colleagues of the fallen officer, Sgt. Scott Heimann. His service and sacrifice serving our community will never be forgotten," she said.
"We stand united with our police department and the entire community as we navigate this really difficult time," she said.
She asked the community to keep all those affected in their thoughts and prayers.
"Scott Heimann was more than just a uniform. He was a protector, a neighbor, a friend, a husband and a father. He was someone who stood tall every day, not knowing what the shift might bring, but always showing up with courage and commitment."
Heimann is survived by his wife, Beth, and a young son and daughter. His parents and mother-in-law and father-in-law are also Hays residents.
Jacobs continued, "Tonight we hold these candles, not only to mourn and honor, to shine light in the darkness of loss and to say to family and the department and each other, 'You are not alone.'"
"To Scott's family, your pain is unimaginable, and no words can make it easier, but please know, Scott did not serve in vain.
"This city is safer, stronger and better because of his sacrifice. We are forever in his debt," she said.
"To all that are gathered here," Jacobs said, "May this night remind us of the power of unity, the strength of community and the enduring light of service and love."
The vigil was concluded with a song sung by TMP students, followed by a prayer led by Fr. Gatsche.
A visitation for Heimann will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Hays Post will offer a live stream of the funeral in cooperation with Tiger Media Network through YouTube.