Sedgwick County Deputy Robert Kunze lost his life following an exchange of gunfire with a suspect in September 2018 near Garden Plain. Kunze was injured, and died after being transported to a hospital.
On Friday, Kunze was honored with a special ceremony attended by local and national leaders in Wichita. Kunze becomes the first law enforcement officer in Kansas to receive the Congressional Badge of Bravery.
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, Representative Ron Estes, Sheriff Easter, family members, and officers from the area took part in the ceremony.
The Congressional Badge of Bravery is awared to one member of law enforcement each year, to honor the exceptional acts of bravery of officers in the line of duty.
Sheriff Jeff Easter said this is an award well deserving of Deputy Kunze.