Kansas City Mourns Officer Killed in Line of Duty

Kansas City is currently in mourning after the tragic loss of a police officer, who was fatally injured by a driver evading law enforcement while attempting to set up a stop stick.

The Kansas City Police Department has named the fallen officer as 26-year-old Hunter Simon Sic.

This young officer had recently graduated from the department academy in 2023.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Simoncic was struck early Tuesday morning as he was trying to deploy stop sticks on State Avenue to halt a fleeing driver.

Dennis Mitchell III, 31, has been charged with hitting Simoncic. He also faces charges for fleeing from an officer, evading capture, possessing a weapon, and two counts of theft, as stated by Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree.

The incident started around 12:30 AM on Tuesday when officials responded to reports of gunfire on Everett Avenue. Officers arrived by 12:40 AM and discovered an unconscious man, later identified as Mitchell, in the driver’s seat of a truck.

After waking him, Mitchell fled the scene, leading officers to pursue him.

He eventually abandoned the initial truck for another vehicle and continued his escape, according to the KBI.

While the chase was ongoing, Simon Sic and another officer exited their vehicle to set up the stop sticks. Reports indicate that Mitchell ran towards Simon Sic during the incident.

Simoncic was rushed to the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Following the alleged attack on the officer, Mitchell crashed his vehicle on Cow Drive around 12:55 AM.

He was taken into custody and transported to the same hospital as Simon Sic for treatment but was soon released and then taken to the Wyandotte County Jail.

Later, police discovered that both vehicles involved in the incident were reportedly stolen.

The department acknowledged the impact of Simoncic’s death, stating it causes a “deep sense of loss and pain.”

Before joining the Kansas City Police Department, Simoncic worked as a shift supervisor at a juvenile detention center in southeastern Kansas.

He held a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in forensic medicine.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, he volunteered at Benjamin Bunker Elementary School, reading to children every week through a program called Lead To Lead KC.

Describing his motivation, the department shared that Simoncic wanted to make a positive change in the community, stating he aimed to take what he learned in life to that end.

This incident comes just weeks after the shooting death of Kansas City representative Elijah Ming while on duty.

The Kansas City Police Department expressed their condolences on Facebook, saying, “God’s Speed Hunter. You and Elijah rest easily; we take it from here.” Simoncic’s funeral is set for Wednesday, September 3rd.