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KCKPD Heroism Medal Award Actions on 04-05-23
On April 5th 2023 at 1517 Hours, officers with the Kansas City Kansas Police Department were conducting an undercover narcotics buy of a large amount of fentanyl. On this day the KCK Special Operations Unit (SOU) and the KCK Narcotics unit were conducting a takedown of the suspected drug dealers. Past narcotics buys with these suspects have shown them to be heavily armed. The suspects were backed into a parking spot where members of the KCK SOU unit blocked them in an unmarked van. Before the van was in position, the suspects opened fire on the police van with full automatic rifle fire striking multiple officers. All three suspects were also struck by returning gunfire and were taken into custody.
Ten members of the Kansas City Kansas Police Department involved in this event are awarded the SAR Heroism Medal. They are:
Sgt. Glen Carter
Sgt. Carter, after being hit several times in the neck and arm, was able to exit the van and provide return fire at the suspects. While in the midst of a barrage of gunfire and after being critically wounded he kept firing several magazines back at the suspects along with giving commands to other officers. It was only after expending most of his ammunition he realized his injuries were critical and was evacuated from the scene.
Officer Chris Blake
Officer Blake was driving the undercover van this day and upon taking fire he was able to draw his own weapon and return fire through the windshield back at the suspects. While engaged in a face-to-face shootout he was struck in the head. After being struck he continued fighting for several more seconds until he was able to exit the vehicle. Other officers provided care for him and he was quickly evacuated from the ongoing firefight.
Officer Wesley Lundgren
Officer Lundgren exited the van and was immediately hit in the hip. While wounded he managed to deliver a volume of fire back at the suspects’ vehicle with his rifle. This counter fire was crucial to neutralizing the suspects. After seeing Officer Blake exit the vehicle with an obvious head injury he placed himself in the line of fire to provide protection to Officer Blake. Only after realizing he too was wounded did he pass along his rifle and move to the evacuation vehicle.
Officer Chad Shore
Officer Shore was also in the van upon taking fire and received a bullet fragment in his head. He was able to exit the van and returned fire back at the suspects. He quickly moved to a position of advantage to the side of the suspect vehicle and provided additional return fire from this location. Upon seeing Sgt. Carter injured he provided life saving measures to him and made sure he was evacuated. After Sgt. Carters evacuation Officer Shore took command of the scene, gave tactical guidance to the officers remaining, and coordinated additional responding resources. His willingness to step up and provide leadership was instrumental to the success of the incident.
Officer Greg Haynes
Officer Haynes was also in the van and took bullet fragmentation to his face. He was quickly able to return fire back at the suspects then exited the van and provide care for the other wounded officers. After taking Officer Lundgrens rifle he provided covering fire as the wounded were loaded up and taken away from the scene.
Officer Robert Twitchel
Officer Twitchel was designated as a marked vehicle and arrived in the parking lot with his light and siren on just as the automatic gunfire was erupting. He drove his vehicle into the driver’s door of the suspect preventing their escape. He then drew his pistol and returned fire at the suspects through his windshield. After exiting his vehicle, he retrieved a ballistic shield from his car and passed it to exposed officers still by the van.
Officer Chad Williams
Officer Williams was designated as a marked vehicle and entered the lot as the gunfire was erupting. He exited his vehicle and took up a position of advantage against the suspects. Quickly, upon seeing the critically wounded officers, he exposed himself to danger by entering back into his vehicle. He repositioned it to load up both Officer Lundgren and Blake then drove them to the hospital.
Officer Angel Silvestre
Officer Silvestre is assigned to the KCK Narcotics unit and was present when the buy took place. When the SOU officers took fire he immediately ran towards the gunfire to provide assistance to the downed officers. He took up a cover position near Officer Shore which allowed Officer Shore to provide first aid to Sgt. Carter. Officer Silvestre while under threat of direct fire escorted Sgt. Carter to his unmarked police vehicle and drove him to the hospital.
Detective Jamie Miller
Detective Miller is assigned to the KCK Narcotics unit and was observing the takedown when the gunfire erupted. Without hesitation or cover, Detective Miller ran toward the injured officers exposing himself to the suspects. He was instrumental in providing cover and assistance to the officers when they needed it most.
Detective Kyle Wolf
On April 5th 2023 after a report of “Officer Down” and the need for immediate assistance was broadcasted over the radio several officers responded. Detective Wolf responded without hesitation and played a key role in helping take the suspects into custody when called out. Det. Wolf didn’t hesitate to pick up a shield and help the other officers clear the vehicle of other suspects. Detective Wolf has SWAT experience but on this day he was wearing plain clothes and no protective armor. Although not fully equipped, he quickly jumped in and placed his life on the line to assist involved officers.