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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Kurt Ford was shot and killed while conducting a forced entry during a hostage situation at 131 SE 14th Street in Newton.
The hostage situation stemmed from a domestic disturbance earlier in the evening. When officers arrived at the home the male subject took a female subject hostage. Deputy Ford and other members of the Harvey County Emergency Response Team responded to the scene. Three hours into the standoff the subject started attacking the hostage. The ERT team made a forced entry into the home and was met with gunfire from the man, who was armed with two handguns.
Deputy Ford was struck in the head and fatally wounded. Another member of the team, a detective with the Hesston Police Department, was shot twice and wounded. The subject remained barricaded in the home for an additional five hours before surrendering.
The subject, a convicted felon, had a history of domestic violence reports at his home. Police later found multiple weapons at the scene. The man was convicted of capital murder on June 28th, 2006, and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Ford had just returned to law enforcement to serve with the Harvey County Sheriff's Office four months earlier. He had previously served in law enforcement for 13 years with multiple agencies in Kansas and Colorado.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ford gave the Harvey County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kurt is the only officer of Harvey County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Kurt is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Kurt is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kurt 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 2005, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kurt was 38. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Kurt had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Kurt was 38. 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. Kurt had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kurt was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kurt had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.6% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Harvey County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 11% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Harvey County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.