SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal officer involved shooting said the police officer critically injured in the Saturday night gun battle remains in critical but stable condition.
His prognosis has improved, according to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay. The officer was wounded in the legs and head and has a long road to recovery.
Ramsay did not release additional details on the officer, a veteran of 5-years on the police force, including his name at the request of the family.
In addition to the injured officer, Ramsay said nine people were injured in seven shootings in Wichita over the weekend.
“I really feel, and chiefs around the country are all saying the same thing, that something has happened societally that is causing people to immediately resort to solving conflict through the use of guns,” Ramsay said. “It is impacting not only our city but the rest of the country and it is very concerning.”
Ramsay thanked the community and others for their show of support for the wounded officer. He said the police department has heard from "around the world" offering prayer and support.
With the family’s blessing and permission, The Honore Adversis Foundation will accept donations on behalf of the officer seriously injured in the line of duty Saturday night. Please go to www.honorduringadversity.org and utilize the the yellow in color “donate” button on the front page.
The community held a candle light prayer vigil for the officer at the Law Enforcement Memorial at Wichita City Hall Monday evening.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting that also sent a police officer to the hospital in critical condition.
Just after 10:15p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to check welfare of a 32-year-0ld woman at a home in the 500 Block of West Carlyle in Wichita, according to Deputy Police Chief Jose Salcido. Officers received information that the woman could be in danger. It was reported she was yelling for help and her 13-year-old daughter was scared.
Upon arrival, the woman told police of physical disturbance between her and her boyfriend identified as 28-year-old Tyler Hodge. She believed he had left.
Hodge's vehicle was at the home and police began checking the home and property to make sure the woman and her daughter were safe.
During their search, offices found Hodge hiding in a shed on the back of the property. He was armed with a rifle and ran toward the officers and fired the rifle multiple times, according to Salcido.
The officers took cover and called other officers to assist. As they arrived, Hodge continued shooting at those officers arriving to assist. One Wichita officers was hit multiple times. The injured officer returned fire and other officers were able to pull him to safety, began life-saving measures, placed him in a police vehicle and transported him to a hospital where he is listed in critical condition but was making improvement on Sunday afternoon, according to Salcido.
Hodge continued shooting at police and moved to the front of the home where an officer shot him. Officers moved the suspect to a safe location and began life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Hodge was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Salcido.
Investigators have determined Hodge fired the rifle 18 times. In addition to the wounded officer, three homes and a patrol vehicle were damaged by the gunfire. Later, investigators found a loaded handgun in the detached shed where Hodge had been hiding, according to Salcido.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid leave, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
The injured officer is a 5-year-veteran of the Wichita police department. The two other officers have 1 and 4-years of experience. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and FBI are assisting with the investigation.