KANSAS CITY – A Fairway, KS police officer has died, a day after a police chase in Johnson County led to a shootout inside a Quiktrip, according to authorities.
Jonah Oswald, 29, a four-year veteran of the Fairway Police Department had been mortally wounded in the Sunday morning encounter inside the Mission, KS store.
Fairway Police Chief J.P. Thurlo issued a statement: “I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of Officer Jonah Oswald, who made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out his oath to serve and protect. Officer Oswald was an integral part of our team and made significant contributions to our department and to the Fairway community. We will remember him as a warm-hearted individual whose hard work and passion touched the lives of many.
On behalf of the entire Fairway Police Department, and the City of Fairway, I extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Officer Oswald’s family and friends. We recognize that their loss is immeasurable, and our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Officer Oswald leaves behind a wife and two young children. The Oswald family has asked for privacy at this time and is appreciative of the support being shown to them.
The incident began around 7:30 Sunday morning, with Lenexa police responding to reports of a stolen car at West 95th Street and Interstate 35.
They say the driver struck a Lenexa police patrol car and sped off, heading north on I-35. Police gave chase, and the suspect car eventually pulling off at Lamar, and two people - a man and a woman - got out of the car and ran into the Quiktrip.
Officers from a handful of nearby departments converged, and went inside to arrest the suspects inside QuikTrip. Lenexa police, Fairway police, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Mission police were all involved.
Lenexa police say there was an exchange of gunfire.
Shannon Wayne Marshall, 40, of Tennessee was shot and killed.
Fairway officer Oswald was mortally wounded, and rushed to a hospital.
Another suspect, Andrea Rene Cothran, 32, of Tennessee was uninjured and arrested.
The Johnson County Officer-Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team (OICIIT) has been assembled to begin its investigation.