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Incident
Police Officer Jeff Atherly and Corporal David Gogian were shot and killed while checking on a suspicious vehicle in a grocery store parking lot on the 1400 block of SW Huntoon Street shortly after 6:00 pm.
Several minutes after making contact with the multiple subjects in the vehicle, one of them opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Atherly and Corporal Gogian. A third officer on the scene was not wounded.
The subject, who opened fire, fled in the vehicle and was located in a home on Third Street, where he barricaded himself for several hours. He was eventually shot and killed after exiting the house while carrying a firearm. He had a criminal record, and his probation had just ended.
Officer Atherly had served with the Topeka Police Department for just under two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his child.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Atherly gave the Topeka Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Atherly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Topeka Police Department has lost 10 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Jeffrey is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Jeffrey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeffrey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 2 officers at Topeka Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2012, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 2012, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2012, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeffrey was 29. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Topeka Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47.5; the middle age was 36. Jeffrey had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeffrey was 29. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Jeffrey had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Jeffrey was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jeffrey had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeffrey was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeffrey had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 33.3% of these deaths at Topeka Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 66.7%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at Topeka Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Topeka Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Jeffrey among them.
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Caswell S. Matthews
May 5, 1912
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Clarence L. Shields
Apr 11, 1955
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Marcus W. Hood
Nov 1, 1974
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James Michael Buffum Sep 13, 1975
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Tony Ray Patterson
Oct 12, 1995
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Charles Joseph Bohlender, Jr.
Jun 13, 2000
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Jeff William Howey
Jun 13, 2000
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David Scott Gogian
Dec 16, 2012
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Jeffrey Glenn Atherly
Dec 16, 2012
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Jason Eugene Harwood
Sep 7, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Topeka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
