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Sheriff’s Department Identifies Shooting Victim

UPDATE”

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has identified the man who was shot and wounded in an incident Friday morning as Romelle Dixon, 19, Junction City.

Authorities said a Deputy conducted a traffic stop with a Chevrolet Malibu in the 1500 block of North Calhoun regarding suspected narcotics violations. Immediately after the stop was initiated, the driver, Romelle Dixon, exited the vehicle while holding a handgun. Dixon made many verbal and non-verbal actions in the presence of the Deputy indicating he wanted the Deputy to shoot him, including holding the gun to his own head and telling the Deputy “shoot me.”

Eventually Dixon fled on foot and Deputies pursued him in a southeast direction to the 700 block of West 14th Street. While fleeing, the gun the suspect was holding discharged, striking the suspect in the chest. It is unknown at this time if the gun discharged accidentally or intentionally. Deputies conducted life saving measures until Junction City EMS arrived. Lifestar transported Dixon by helicopter to Salina Regional Health Center.

WHile Deputies were attending to Dixon the remaining occupants in the Chevrolet Malibu left the scene but all of them and the vehicle have since  been located. As of 3:45 p.m. Friday Dixon was listed in critical condition, but was expected to live.

All injuries sustained by Dixon during this incident were self-inflicted. Law enforcement did not discharge any weapons. 

Sheriff’s Detectives are still gathering information and evidence and will be working with the Geary County Attorney’s Office to determine if any criminal charges will be requested.

 

UPDATE:

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office has released more information concerning a shooting incident Friday morning. 

At 10:43 a.m. a Sheriff’s Deputy encountered a silver 2006 Chevrolet Malibu containing multiple occupants near the 700 block of West 14th Street. According to Captain Brian Hornaday when the Deputy made contact one of the occupants exited the vehicle holding a handgun and eventually fled from the area. 

Sheriff’s Deputies engaged in a foot pursuit with the suspect. During the foot pursuit, the suspect’s gun fired, striking the suspect in the chest. All injuries sustained were self-inflicted. Law enforcement authorities did not fire any weapons. Life saving measures were immediately implemented. Junction City EMS and Life Star responded, ultimately transporting the suspect to a hospital with life threatening injuries. The suspect was in critical condition Friday afternoon. 

Due to the suspect’s current medical condition, the Sheriff’s Department is withholding his name at this time.

The silver 2006 Chevrolet Malibu and all persons of interest have been located. The 700 block of West 14th was closed temporarily following the incident, but has now been reopened for public use.

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UPDATE:

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf has confirmed the shooting Friday stemmed from a traffic stop by the Sheriff’s Department and it was a self-inflicted shooting. The shooting victim had fled from the vehicle following the traffic stop. No shots were fired by law enforcement authorities.

Wolf noted the victim was transported to Geary Community Hospital. 

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Captain Brian Hornaday said late Friday morning that the Geary County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred  just prior to 1100 hours in the 700 Block of West 14th Street in Junction City, Kansas. 

One person, who will not be identified at this time, has sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of a gunshot and has been transported to a hospital for treatment.  In relation to the shooting incident, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a silver in color 2006 Chevrolet Malibu with Kansas registration 037 KYE.  The occupants of the vehicle and their descriptions are unknown, but are all considered to be persons of interest in the investigation. 

If you have any information related to this investigation, please contact the Geary County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 785-238-2261.  If you see the vehicle of interest, do not approach!  Contact local law enforcement immediately!

 The 700 Block of West 14th Street is closed while the investigation is being conducted.  Please use alternate routes of travel for that area.

‘Big Red One’ Soldier Dies in Grandview Plaza

A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found deceased in an apartment in Grandview Plaza, Kansas, July 25.

Pfc. Spencer Rose was an aircraft structural repairer with 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div. The incident remains under investigation.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pfc. Spencer Rose,” said Lt. Col. Glenn McQuown, 1st ARB, 1st Avn. Regt., 1st CAB, commander. “Our thoughts, prayers and support go out to his family and friends during this difficult
time.”

Rose joined the Army in July 2017 and arrived at Fort Riley in March 2018. He was 19 years old. He had not deployed.

His home of record is Connersville, Indiana. His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Ribbon.

Sheriff Tarred and Feathered……Well Sort Of

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf was a good sport Thursday evening at the Geary County Free Fair. Just before the start of the 4-H Auction he was tarred and feathered by members of the community, especially a lot of kids, using pancake syrup and a multitude of feathers.

For Wolf it was all in good fun in an effort to raise money for the Sheriff’s Department Community Involvement Unit. While laughing he said, “This was a sticky, sticky mess. ” Wolf said he raised the most money in a fundraiser. This was the reward. He noted the experience was for a good cause and “a lot of fun.”

 

Biggest Fair Auction in Years

A total of 84 Geary County 4-H’ers put livestock or projects up for sale in the 4-H auction Thursday night in Junction City.

Chuck Otte, Extension Agent, said the auction had the most participants in recent years.  The 84 4-Her’s totaled 15 more than a year ago. Total premiums paid by local businesses and residents at $43,390 was also a record for recent years. The 45 livestock premiums brought $32,825 for an average premium of $729. That was the highest number of market animals going through the sale ring in more than a decade.

The 39 projects brought a total premium of $10,565 for an average of $271. Both of those averages were less than the 2017 auction but the total number of market animals and projects brought the total up over last year’s total of $40,210.

 

Two Arrested in Dickinson County on Drug Related Charges

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department Drug Enforcement Unit with the assistance of Deputies from the Sheriff’s Department conducted a search warrant at 2617 Quail road, Lot 29, in Chapman on Tuesday.

According to a release from the office of Sheriff Gareth Hoffman, officers located a quarter ounce of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested were Jason Hicks, 36, Chapman, on suspicion of Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tyler Lusenhop, 31, Junction City, on suspicion of Possession of Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The case is ongoing and further arrests are possible.

Authorities Responded to Possible Suicide

Grandview Plaza Police Chief Shawn Peirano said officers from his department and Geary County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday to Geary Estates Apartment Complex in Grandview Plaza for a possible suicide.

Peirano said officers arrived to find a male deceased on the balcony of the apartment. His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The death investigation is ongoing and an autopsy will be scheduled in the next couple of days.

Storm Slices Through Abilene

A severe thunderstorm packing straight line winds swept through Abilene late Wednesday night.

The Dickinson County Emergency Management Director Chancey Smith confirmed the storm, with straight line winds of about 76 miles per hour,  moved through Abilene basically south of the Third and Fourth Street area. “Old Abilene Town area, the Eisenhower Museum and that really had some heavy tree damage from that wind.”

Smith stated an old lumber yard at Cedar Street and the Union Pacific railroad crossings had its’ roof torn up pretty bad. An older building in the south part of the city also lost its roof. Some trees that were as big as a person’s waist were snapped off and broken in that south end of Abilene. “We had two air conditioners on the roof of the courthouse that it probably blew five feet until the cable connecting them to the building got tight. It blew them off their foundations, 300 pound air conditioner units.” No one was injured.

Smith said significant rain was received with the storm. There was damage farther west as well. West of Abilene on Old Highway 40 there is a greyhound race track in that area. “Just about every other big tree out there was broken off and there was a huge Cottonwood tree broken off blocking Old 40 off last night. There was some tree damage to large trees on the Eisenhower Presidential Library campus. ( Photos courtesy of Dickinson County Emergency Management Director Chancey Smith )

 

Geary County Free Continues Thursday

The lineup for the Geary County Free Fair on Thursday begins with the 4-H Livestock Showmanship Contest at 9 a.m.

The annual 4-H Barbecue and Watermelon Feed run from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and the 4-H Project & Livestock Auction is at 7 p.m.

 

The Grand Champion Market Hog at the Fair

 

The market hog “Wilbur” was the grand champion in the 4-H Swine Show at the Geary County Free Fair Wednesday night. He belongs to 8-year old Jacob Roeser. “I’m surprised actually.” Roeser acknowledged he was a little nervous while showing the hog last night, but in the end it all worked out.

Roeser says his hog weighs 264 pounds. He explained how the name Wilbur was selected. “When we got him he was like a runt. And I got it off the movie since Wilbur was a runt so I named him Wilbur.”

Weston Langvardt had the reserve grand champion market hog.

Meet Wilbur

 

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