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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Theresa King and Deputy Sheriff Patrick Rohrer were shot and killed as they transported a prisoner to the Wyandotte County Correction and Court Services Building, at 800 7th Street, at approximately 11:15 am.
They were unloading the prisoner from the transport van in the facility's exterior sally port when the man attacked them. He was able to disarm one of the deputies and shot them both. Despite being mortally wounded, one of the deputies was able to return fire and wounded the subject.
Deputy King was transported to a local hospital where she passed away shortly after midnight.
The suspect pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravated robbery to avoid the death penalty. He was sentenced to two life sentences.
Deputy King had served with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Deputy King had served with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
She is survived by her three children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff King gave the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff King.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Theresa is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Theresa is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theresa 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 2018, 2 officers at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2018, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Theresa was 44. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34.8 and 44.3; the middle age was 35. Theresa had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Theresa was 44. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Theresa had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Theresa was 44. 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. Theresa had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theresa was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Theresa had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 25% of these deaths at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 25%.
June holds 5.5% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 10 deaths at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Her people
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Theresa among them.
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William Conway May 11, 1896
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Charles Quincy Lukens Dec 8, 1909
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Frank Rohrbach Aug 6, 1931
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Maurice A. Bedell, Sr.
Aug 29, 1954
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Wesley Gippy Walden
Nov 19, 1955
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Thomas W. Mendina Mar 4, 1956
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James L. Reynolds Aug 4, 1984
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Patrick Thomas Rohrer
Jun 15, 2018
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Theresa Sue King
Jun 16, 2018
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Elijah Ming
Jul 26, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
