By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Clutching single red roses, family members of four Kansas fallen officers killed in the line of duty in 2025 were presented with medals in honor of their loved ones at the Capitol grounds on Friday.
As the medals were presented, a heart-beat-skipping 21-gun salute cracked the silence of the sunny spring day.
Among those being honored were Sgt. Scott Heimann of the Hays Police Department and Phillips County Undersheriff Brandon Gaede.
He died at Hutchinson Regional Hospital.
The annual Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony began Friday with Gov. Laura Kelly and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, speaking to a crowd that filled the second floor of the Capitol rotunda.
Members of the Hays Police Department served as an honor guard for the ceremony, posting the colors.
“Today, more than ever, we are reminded of the solemn responsibility we have to remember those who gave their lives and to support those who still serve,” Kelly said.
Kelly said she learned more about the men when she attended the officers' funerals.
“I heard stories about the vigor and enthusiasm these men brought to work each day, about their passion for protecting the people of Kansas, about the dedication and care that they showed their families and their friends, about the lives of so many that will not be the same without them,” she said.
“All four men gave their lives while protecting their communities. They all leave behind legacies of courage, commitment and service that will never be forgotten.”
She also spoke to the families and surviving law enforcement officers directly.
“You carry a burden few can understand, while there's no way to replace the loss you have experienced, I want you to know that Kansas stands with you.
“We stand with every law enforcement officer who wears the badge today, knowing the immense responsibility and courage that comes with it, we recognize the demands placed on officers across the state every day, and we understand the need for real support, not just words and ceremonies, but with tangible action.”
She also cited increased investments in public safety, mental health and crisis response teams across the state.
Kelly is serving the final months of her term as governor, but she expressed hope that future administrations will continue to support law enforcement.
“Today's ceremony is a solemn reminder that continued support the law enforcement community is desperately needed, that public service comes with a real sacrifice, that every person behind that person is a family and a future, and that every loss is a permanent void.”
Moran called the four fallen officers role models and heroes.
“... You listen to the society today, and they talk about basketball players on a basketball court, somebody who can throw the football and make a touchdown. Those aren't heroes,” Moran said. “They do their jobs well, and that's a good thing. Heroes are people who put others above themselves, and today we honor the heroes who did just that.”
Moran said it is not how the four officers died that made them heroes, but how they lived.
“So we pay our respects, we honor their sacrifice, we comfort and console families. But the next step is to make sure that we live our lives in honor and in a way that protects our community … allows the United States of America to have a long life with freedoms and liberties, and the opportunity for people, all citizens of our nation, to pursue the American dream,” he said.
“Maybe that's summed up. We all have a higher calling than just getting through the day.”
Moran noted that two of the officers, including Sgt. Heimann, died responding to domestic violence calls. Before the suspect who killed Heimann barricaded himself, he had been pursuing a former girlfriend.
“We can do more to make families safer and secure,” Moran said.
He said law enforcement needs to be funded in a way that gives them the security to protect themselves and to protect their community.
“I'll do my best to make sure that that's the case here in Kansas and across the country. In honor of these individuals, who shared so much and whose memory we mourn, we pay tribute today. We say thank you.”
Moran added, “God's wrapped his arm around your family, and God protect all of you who served in law enforcement today across our state and around our nation.”
Law enforcement officers from across the state attended the memorial ceremonies on Friday, as well as Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas, and Hays city commissioners.
Hays Police Chief Don Sheibler was present Thursday for a candlelight vigil for families and on Friday for the ceremonies.
He presented Heimann’s window with a medal as well as challenge coins to members of the Heimann family.
“It’s a very emotional day for us,” Scheibler said. “The loss of Scott has been a tragic loss for our police department, the community and the Heimann family.
“But to be here today and pay our respects to his service and sacrifice just means the absolute world to us. It means everything to us.”
Scheibler described Heimann as a wonderful person and a wonderful police officer.
“I feel so blessed to have known him and to have worked with him. He is a shining example of what a police officer should be. His service and sacrifice to our community will never be forgotten.”
Heimann is survived by his wife, two children and his parents.
Gaede is survived by his wife, his three children and other family members.
Wyandotte County Deputy Elijah Ming and Kansas City, Kansas, officer Hunter Simoncic, also killed in the line of duty in 2025, were also honored Friday.
SEE RELATED STORY: Fallen Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann honored by Point 27
SEE RELATED STORY: Fallen Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede honored by Point 27