Lawrence police will patrol Topeka Saturday, allowing local police to attend funeral services for two of their officers who were shot to death Sunday.
About thirty Lawrence officers will join the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol in taking over the bereaved department's duties for the day, according to Sgt. Trent McKinley of the Lawrence Police Department.
Topeka police officers Cpl. David Gogian, 50, and Officer Jeff Atherly, 29, died at a Topeka hospital Sunday night after being wounded in a shooting near a Dillons grocery store. The two officers were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle at the store when they were shot by 22-year-old David Tiscareno, of Topeka, who was killed in a shootout with police the next day.
Many Lawrence police officers have rearranged vacation time in order to substitute for the Topeka department Saturday, while others will attend the services in their off-duty time, McKinley said. To ensure both Topeka and Lawrence are covered, Lawrence detectives and police administrators are stepping in to fill patrol roles.
McKinley said Lawrence police are more than happy to support their colleagues in Topeka.
"We have people who weren't in Saturday's plan who say 'What can I do to help the Topeka Police Department?'"
Comments
KiferGhost 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Wow, I didn't think we had enough police just to handle the Lawrence issues.
KRichards 5 months, 4 weeks ago
You have no class at all.
KiferGhost 5 months, 4 weeks ago
I guess you miss my point.
Pal 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Ghost exhausted I didn't get his point either.
KiferGhost 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Apparently the jw doesn't think I should be able to respond.
superswagg56 5 months, 4 weeks ago
After your initial comment...you shouldn't be allowed to respond!!
KiferGhost 5 months, 4 weeks ago
So NRA supporters are against freedom of speech, figures.
ImRonBurgandy 5 months, 4 weeks ago
You are correct. By the national average of citizens-vs-officers Lawrence is far behind. Add on the officers have to conduct their own investigations and answer 20 calls a day the citizens shouldn't be surprised the officers are overwhelmed and are forced to shug non important cases aside.
Food_for_Thought 5 months, 4 weeks ago
My guess would be that since the article noted that officers are giving up vacation time, days off, and working overtime to help in Topeka, that would mean that officers are also doing the same in Lawrence (or perhaps they have adequate staffing because the ones who are helping in Topeka are doing it on vacation/days off).
Missingit 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Maybe it should not be about points being made but people giving up their plans to help a department that is grieving. Maybe points should not be made about helping people who are dealing with death?
Pal 5 months, 4 weeks ago
And NRA haters that police generally support.
frankfussman 5 months, 4 weeks ago
My first thought to the headline was police reaction to the Phelps' chance to picket funerals. I wouldn't be surprised if they do...or try to.
fancy80 5 months, 4 weeks ago
I think they have something called protect and surround going on in case the picketers show up.
tomatogrower 5 months, 4 weeks ago
The Patriot Group is going to by there to help block the group.
TheSychophant 5 months, 4 weeks ago
A wonderful gesture, especially considering that for many police officers, they're families have already started their holiday vacation. Very unselfish. Props to all.
TheSychophant 5 months, 4 weeks ago
whoops, meant to write "their" families." Give me an D for English.
jennifermyers 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Very unselfish of our police officers to give up their time with their families to assist an outside agency. God bless our peacekeepers.
beatnik 5 months, 4 weeks ago
good job lpd officers
patygrl 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Class act, LPD.
KRichards 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Great gesture. Makes me proud of our police.
KiferGhost 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Yeah, I guess thinking there aren't enough police in Lawrence is cop bashing. Will the jw delete this comment also?
superswagg56 5 months, 4 weeks ago
What he H377 is wrong with you?
KiferGhost 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Little early to be hitting the bottle isn't it?
Ohyasee 5 months, 4 weeks ago
I promise we here in Lawrence will be good while they are there protecting Topeka! Great job LPD!
frustratednks 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Bravo! So Proud of you guy!
patkindle 5 months, 4 weeks ago
nice touch, class act, many thanks
chocolateplease 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Thank you, Lawrence police officers.
bearded_gnome 5 months, 4 weeks ago
God go with each of you and keep each of you safe on the streets of Topeka today.
Thank you for your selflessness and for standing up today.
bearded_gnome 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Dear Peace Officer,
with the deaths of the two officers in Topeka, and the dreadful slaughter in Newtown CT that your fellows have had to work, I know this season is particularly heavy on your heart. We want to know, what can the average citizen do to make your life easier? Those of us who pray pray for your safety and encouragement. But what more can we do? We know you wear the uniform in service to us all and we are grateful.
/gnome
kusp8 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Surprised its only LPD, Shawnee County Sheriff, and KHP providing extra man power, figured some JoCo and other neighboring counties would send officers. Either way, very impressed with LPD response and willingness to step up in this time of need.
KRichards 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Well technically it is the LPD, the Doug. County Sheriffs, and the Franklin County Police.
otto 5 months, 4 weeks ago
I can assure you every law officer in the country would be there if needed.
Armstrong 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Class act LPD.
superswagg56 5 months, 4 weeks ago
People of Lawrence and Douglas County should be proud.
touringdriver 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Some of us are. the rest doesn't count.
bearded_gnome 5 months, 4 weeks ago
Good job LPD. Thank you, each of you.
KEITHMILES05 5 months, 4 weeks ago
I know for a fact the FBI was also there.
honestyku 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Im just so glad Topeka pd didnt ask the KU police dept to be there. no offense to thier officers but its the KU police admin officers that dont know what they are doing. Not one of them ever served in a real police dept such as a city or even small town. Topeka pd didnt nbeed them there but its ok for LPD to be there. Thank god. The admin KU police chief and his cptains are just lazy and over paid and dont know nothing about treating peopel or law enforcement.
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