TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has signed Senate Bill 445, which requires the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to provide support and assistance for fallen law enforcement officers’ funerals as well as to their families and agencies.
Scheibler said a line-of-duty death is devastating, yet the agency must immediately manage complex ceremonies and continue maintaining public safety.
He referred to the killing of Hay's Police Sgt. Scott Heimann, who died Sept. 28, 2025. He was the first officer in the department’s history to be killed in the line of duty.
Governor Laura Kelly said., "Every day, Kansas law enforcement officers put their lives at risk in service to their state and to their fellow Kansans. This legislation is a solemn reminder that we must be prepared to provide support if officers make the ultimate sacrifice."
"Through Senate Bill 445, we are ensuring fallen officers’ agencies and families have the assistance and support they need when they have to face an unimaginable loss."
Under Senate Bill 445, temporary personnel and other assistance will be available, upon a submitted request from the relevant Kansas law enforcement agency, to support funeral services in honor of officers who have died in the line of duty.
"Law enforcement families share the risks and weight of public service. When an officer is killed in the line of duty, their family should not shoulder the burden of this sacrifice on their own," said Senator Ethan Corson, District 7. "Senate Bill 445 goes beyond words of gratitude and offers meaningful support for funeral and memorial ceremonies to ensure their loved one is properly honored. This bipartisan legislation, signed into law by Governor Kelly, guarantees these families receive the dignity and care they deserve."
Senate Bill 445 will help agencies honor fallen officers, aid fallen officers’ families, and take proactive steps to provide key support during a tragic and difficult time for the law enforcement community, reinforcing Kansas’ commitment to stand by law enforcement officers across the state.
"Senate Bill 445 helps ensure Kansas law enforcement agencies and families have steady support during incredibly difficult times, and it guarantees this support will be in place for future tragic events,” said Senator Elaine Bowers, District 36. "In 2025, we lost four brave officers — Deputy Brandon Gaede of Phillips County, Deputy Elijah Ming of Wyandotte County, Officer Hunter Simoncic of Kansas City, Kansas, and Sergeant Scott Heimann of Hays — and this bill honors their service by supporting those they left behind."