HAYS, Kan. – A Kansas police officer was shot and killed early Sunday while responding to a domestic violence call, according to state authorities. Sgt. Scott Heimann, 32, of the Hays Police Department, died from his injuries after being transported by air to a hospital, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) confirmed.
Heimann, who joined the force in 2016, became the fourth Kansas law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in just over three months.
Timeline of the Incident
The confrontation began late Saturday when police received a report from a woman who fled a suspect’s home in Hays, a city of about 21,000 located 200 miles west of Topeka along Interstate 70. She told authorities the suspect struck her vehicle with his truck as she tried to leave.
By 2 a.m. Sunday, Heimann and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper were establishing a perimeter behind the suspect’s residence when a single gunshot fired from inside struck Heimann, according to the KBI.
Standoff Ends With Suspect Dead
Authorities said the suspect remained barricaded inside while officers attempted negotiations. Law enforcement also deployed gas, used projectiles to break windows, and operated a surveillance drone during the standoff.
At approximately 6:15 a.m., officers entered the home and found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators emphasized that police did not discharge their weapons during the incident.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
“We are tragically reminded that Police Officers serve and protect their communities, putting the lives of others above their own,” Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said in a statement.
Heimann’s death follows three other law enforcement fatalities in Kansas this year: Phillips County Undersheriff Brandon Gaede on June 27, Wyandotte County Deputy Sheriff Elijah Ming on July 26, and Kansas City Police Officer Hunter Simoncic on August 26.
Broader Impact
The Kansas police officer shot in Hays highlights the risks officers face during domestic violence responses, often regarded as among the most volatile situations in law enforcement. Officials say the KBI investigation remains ongoing.
