Police officers from across the metro area will be filling in for KCK officers on Saturday so the officers can attend the funeral for Detective Brad Lancaster.
Lancaster was shot and killed on Monday near Kansas Speedway as he was responding to reports of a suspicious person near Hollywood Casino.
The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office is one of several local law enforcement agencies that will offer extra patrols on Saturday to KCK so officers can attend the funeral at Children's Mercy Park.
"It's about him [Lancaster]," Lt. Kelli Bailiff of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office explained. "It's about our feelings. It's about what it means to us in order to help. We want to do that as an honor to him."
Officers will answer calls for service, direct traffic and help along the funeral procession route as KCK officers honor one of their own.
Bailiff said while she didn't know Lancaster personally, she could remember seeing him from time to time.
"I would see him a lot at the gas pumps," she said. "Before he went to the detective division, I'd see him. He was very personable, very nice."
The shooting on Monday hit close to home for many officers, including Bailiff.
"We know that sort of thing can happen, but we still put on this uniform and pride every single day," she explained. "Nothing is routine anymore. Not a routine car stop, not a routine pedestrian check. Everybody has to be very cautious."
Efforts to help honor Lancaster go beyond the funeral on Saturday. Across the metro area this week, many police officers wore black mourning strips over their badges.
In Lenexa, a fountain outside the police department was changed to blue on Friday.
"Any time an officer loses his life, it hits close to home because of the community of law enforcement officers," said Officer Dan Friesen of the Lenexa Police Department.
Monday's shooting broke the hearts of many people, especially those of police officers. While officers say Lancaster died far too soon, his legacy will live on.
"If you fall protecting the people you love and your community, you are a hero," said Bailiff.
The funeral for Lancaster begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Children's Mercy Park.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
