KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department Ofc. Hunter Simoncic, 26, died after he was struck by a suspect's vehicle Tuesday near the Kansas City, Kansas, Community College campus.
Around 12:30 a.m., police were dispatched to the 7700 block of Everett on shots fired. Police said the alert came from the department's gunshot detection system.
Upon arrival, officers located an unconscious man in a truck. But as police approached, he woke up and fled the scene.
A brief pursuit ensued until the driver abandoned the truck and entered another vehicle, which was stashed in the woods. Police believe both vehicles were stolen.
The suspect then continued to flee in the direction of the 7200 block of State Avenue. At that time, two officers, including Simoncic, attempted to deploy stop sticks.
After deploying the device, Simoncic moved out of danger to the median, which KCKPD Chief Karl Oakman said is normal protocol. However, the suspect avoided the sticks and veered toward Simoncic.
“This was a situation that we do across the metro thousands of times a year, deploying stop sticks," Oakman said in a press conference Tuesday morning. "And this individual felt the need to run Hunter down... That is not a vehicle accident; this was an intentional act of homicide on a police officer."
Simoncic was transported from the scene to the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Officers from across Kansas City led a procession from the hospital following Simoncic's line-of-duty death.
Simoncic wanted to make 'positive changes' in community
Oakman said Simoncic grew up in Galesburg, Kansas. He then went on to attend Pittsburg State University for his undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in sociology) and Oklahoma State University for his master's in forensic science.
Before becoming an officer, he worked for the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center as a shift supervisor.
In November 2023, Simoncic graduated from the KCKPD Police Academy. In his graduation program, he wrote he wanted to become an officer so he could "take what he learned in life to make positive changes in a community he believes truly deserved it."
He also thanked his parents in the graduation program for instilling ethics such as "character, hard work and grit, as well as life tools he needed to pursue his career."
Further, Simoncic mentioned he wanted to serve as a mentor to the youth. He made good on that promise by frequently volunteering to read at Banneker Elementary School, Oakman said.
“This is devastating to this community, it’s devastating to the Unified Government, it’s devastating to the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department," Oakman said. “It is equally devastating when you have to look into the face of the family and tell them this. They are heartbroken, and you see it on their face. It is something as a police chief you never want to do."
Loss in KCK, Wyandotte County
Simoncic's death comes just one month after the line-of-duty death of Wyandotte County Sheriff's Deputy Elijah Ming, who was shot and killed July 26.
“So this community, this department, we will need a lot of prayer, and we will need a lot of support," Oakman said.
KCK Mayor/CEO Tyrone Garner said he nearly had no words for the "senseless, unnecessary" acts of violence that continue in the community.
“We are right back again mourning the death of one of our heroes," Garner said.
He said his heart hurts for everyone touched by the loss of Simoncic.
“I just don’t have a lot of words to say to comfort this community," Garner said.
Anyone looking to offer their condolences can do so in front of City Hall by the police memorial; KCKPD anticipates a patrol vehicle will be in position by Tuesday afternoon.
The KCK Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4 has established a fund for Simoncic's family. Donations can be made at any Public Safety Credit Union location.
Suspect in Simoncic's death
The suspect in Simoncic's death was identified as Dennis Mitchell III. Oakman said he was taken into custody around 1 a.m. after he was in a wreck in the 6400 block of Kaw Drive.
Mitchell was transported to the Wyandotte County Jail after he was treated and released from the hospital.
He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft, criminal possession of a firearm and aggravated failure to appear. Charges are pending.
The incident is being investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
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