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gota89stang
04-09-2005, 22:33
Wichita Eagle

Posted on Sat, Apr. 09, 2005

Harvey County deputy shot to death; second officer wounded

NEWTON - EAGLE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

One police officer was shot and killed and another critically wounded early today during a domestic disturbance call in South Newton.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said that Harvey County Sheriff's Deputy Kurt Ford was killed and Hesston Detective Chris Eilert was shot four times.

The pair forced open a door at 131 S.E. 14th in South Newton around 3:30 a.m. after hearing screaming and a woman being hit.

KBI Agent Kyle Smith said Gregory Moore, 46, was arrested and taken to Butler County Jail pending charges, which may be filed Monday.

Smith said Moore barricaded himself in the house and allowed police to remove the wounded and dead officers but did not surrender until nearly 8:30 a.m.

The officers went to the home after a 14-year-old girl called police around 12:50 a.m. to say her mother was being beaten by a man who lived with them and that he had a gun.

Around 3 a.m., law enforcement called Moore and the unidentified woman, and Moore agreed to talk to Ford and Eilert at the door.

During the conversation, authorities said, the woman indicated she wanted to leave. The door slammed shut, and the officers heard her being hit.

The two officers rushed into the house and were met by gunfire. The unidentified hostage broke free and was able to escape unharmed.

Eilert was taken to Wesley Medical Center. Smith said Eilert is expected to fully recover.

Smith described Ford "as always the first one through the door." Ford is survived by a wife and two sons.

Moore was not wounded.

It's been nearly 135 years since an officer was shot in the line of duty in Harvey County.

Violent things just don't normally happen there, said county commissioner Marge Roberson.

She said county administrator Craig Simons called her about 5:40 a.m. to tell her what happened.

"I just sat there thinking 'I know these men.' It's hard to believe," she said. "I thought, what can I do? And then I thought I can carry coffee to them... We all know each other. And we're all just praying."

me ofc
04-09-2005, 22:54
that rough hope his family is ok

Flatfoot003
04-10-2005, 12:55
RIP brother :sad day:

nwfiregirl
04-10-2005, 13:39
So sad.

klassylass
04-11-2005, 11:19
Newton is my hometown and although I did not know Deputy Ford personally, my younger sister did, as she credits him with being instrumental in turning her life around after years of heading down the wrong path. That's something nobody else in my family was able to do.

He was obviously a credit to his department, to our profession and to his family and he will be sorely missed.

klassylass

TAC803NY
04-13-2005, 20:27
Prayers and thoughts to the family and department.

Tac