Neosho County Sheriff's Office

03/19/2026

We would like to thank the Erie Girls Scout Troop for the coffee cups and hot chocolate! Deputies Don Sauer and Joe Manyo getting first pick of the hand painted cups.

01/23/2026

12/30/2025

Press Release
As previously posted, a Neosho County Deputy Sheriff's patrol vehicle was struck on the evening of 12/26/2025. The Deputy was legally parked, off of the roadway on a pasture access, facing east on 160th Rd. between Kiowa and Jackson Roads. A west bound vehicle went left of center, off the roadway into the ditch. The vehicle launched the culvert and struck the Deputies patrol unit head on. Upon being struck, the deputy radioed in the accident and activated the emergency equipment. This causes the in-car camera system to make a recording of approx. 30 seconds before the emergency lights are activated. Due to the extensive damage to the patrol unit, the vehicle battery was damaged, and the patrol unit lost enough power to keep the emergency lights going and also failed to upload the video to the cloud storage. The video was not able to be retrieved until yesterday afternoon. For transparency reasons, the video will be included in this post.

While the previous post contained some disheartening comments, thankfully there were some individuals who reached out and assisted with leads. Investigators were able to get enough information for a search warrant in Wilson County. The vehicle from the accident was located, the suspect was interviewed and subsequently arrested.

Jeremy L. Borton, 48, Buffalo, Ks., was arrested for Leaving the Scene, Failure to Report, Driving while Suspended, No Ignition Interlock Device when Required, No Liability Insurance, Aggravated Battery (Reckless). He was transported to the Neosho County Jail. Upon completion of the investigation, reports will be forwarded to the Neosho County Attorney's Office for review. We also want to thank; KHP, Chanute Police Department, and the Wilson County Sheriff's Office for their assistance.

12/27/2025

Update: This case has been solved and an arrest made. A related press release has been made.
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The Neosho County Sheriff’s Office and KHP are investigating a hit and run accident that occurred last night. The accident happened at approximately 9:35 pm. One of our deputies were parked on the east bound shoulder of 160th Rd (commonly referred to as Shaw Road), between Jackson and Kiowa roads. A west bound vehicle went left of center and struck the deputies patrol truck head on. The vehicle then fled the scene westbound on 160th. The deputy was taken to NMRMC to be checked for possible injuries. She has since returned to duty. We are asking the public, if you know the identity of the driver or location of the other vehicle, please contact the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office at 620-244-3888.

10/31/2025

Update:
Law Enforcement found Mr. Wiltse deceased in a rural area east of Chanute. The family has been notified. At this time there is no suspicion of foul play.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family for their loss.

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This morning the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office has been requested by the Chanute Police Department to assist with a missing person. The individual is Darrell Wiltse, 84, Chanute. He was last seen at his residence in Chanute, on 10/30/2025 at approximately. 04:30. He is believed to have been driving a maroon 2015 Ford F150 pickup, bearing Ks 8302AGX. His phone has pinged east of Chanute in the area of 200th and Irving. Law enforcement is currently canvassing the area. A code red alert is being sent out to residents in the area. If you have any information concerning Mr. Wiltse’s whereabouts, please contact the Chanute Police Department or the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office.e

09/09/2025

The Neosho County Sheriff's Office is attempting to find the owner of a stray cow that had been loose in the area of 110th Rd. and Rush Rd. since August 29, 2025. Deputies have attempted to contact cattle producers in the area and thus far no owner has been found. Pursuant to KSA 47-239, the stray is an Angus or Angus Cross cow, estimated to be between 5 - 9 yrs old. The cow was caught, penned and currently being cared for. The owner will be responsible for any expenses associated with the stray. If the owner is not located, pursuant to KSA 47-239, the stray will be sold Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Parsons Livestock Auction. If you are missing a cow from this area, please contact the Neosho County Sheriff's Office (620-244-3888) and provide a description of cow you are missing.

09/04/2025

This year, our Neosho County Community has had more than our fair share of tragedy and grief.

On 08/26/2025 we lost one of our own, KCKPD Officer Hunter Simoncic. He was raised here in Galesburg, graduated from Erie High School, class of 2018. He left our community, continuing his education and eventually serving the public for KCKPD.

Tomorrow he is being brought home to rest. We anticipate that the funeral procession will arrive in Neosho County on K47 from Crawford County around 11:00 am. The procession will go west on K47, through St. Paul, then turn south on US59, proceeding south to Labette County.

We would ask that the public be patient and respectful if traveling this area. There will be a significant presence of local law enforcement and fire departments assisting with traffic control at intersections.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hunter’s family, his law enforcement colleagues, friends, and classmates.

08/26/2025

Neosho County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release

On Sunday January 17, 2016, at approx. 7:01 pm the Neosho County E-911 Center received a report of an elderly woman setting in the passenger side of a pickup truck, parked at a local business in Erie. The reporting party advised the woman had been in the parked truck since approximately 10:00 am that day. The Erie Police Department was dispatched to the business to check on the woman’s welfare. The woman told the officer that her son was going to a sports thing, did not want her to go, and left her in the vehicle around 10 am. The woman advised that her son, Jay Shumate had left walking in an unknown direction. The Erie PD Officer took the woman home to her residence in Erie, as she was unable to drive herself.

On January 21, 2016, the Erie Police Department as the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a search of the surrounding area of Erie. According to the Erie Police Department, W/M Jay Shumate, who was 60 at the time, had not returned home. It was reported that Mr. Shumate would frequently walk along US59 or Main Street south from to the Neosho River. On January 22, 2016, a large search consisting of community volunteers, law enforcement and volunteer fireman searched the surrounding snow-covered sections of land. With an emphasis on searching the area between Erie and the Neosho River. The search was conducted with individuals on foot, ATV’s, horseback, and aircraft. The search was unsuccessful. At the time there were a couple of alleged possible sightings of Mr. Shumate, one claiming to have seen someone similar hitchhiking on US69 near Pittsburg. The Erie Police Department investigation into Mr. Shumate’s disappearance was unsuccessful.

Since that time the Neosho River has flooded a few times.

On February 13, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a human skull that had been found the previous day by people looking for deer antler sheds. Investigators collected the skull and were taken to the location of its discovery. The area is prone to flooding from the river. Investigators searched for any other remains or clothing in a large area around where the skull was found. This search yielded nothing.

The skull was taken to the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology lab for testing. The testing estimated that the skull was likely from a male.

The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the KBI with the investigation. Familial DNA samples were collected from a member of the Shumate family. DNA profiles were sent to PTC Laboratories in Texas.

Yesterday, August 25, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received the DNA Analysis confirming that the skull is the remains of Jay Shumate. The cause of death is unknown. A Sheriff’s Office Investigator has notified the next of kin.

Greg Taylor – Sheriff
Neosho County Sheriff’s Office

08/10/2025

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a murder that occurred in Stark, Kansas.

The Neosho County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance on Saturday, August 9, around 8:51 p.m. KBI agents and Crime Scene Response Team responded.

On Saturday, at around 6:43 p.m., a 911 call reported a disturbance at a residence in Stark, and Neosho County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to 307 S Washington.

When deputies arrived, they observed blood on the front porch. They later found the victim, Scott Stevens, 65, of Stark, deceased. The investigation led to identifying the suspect as Luke Shepard, 45, of Uniontown. Shepard had fled the scene and was later arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office at his home without incident.

Shepard was transported to the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office jail and booked on first-degree murder. Formal charges are pending.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.

08/06/2025

The Neosho County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for an administrative assistant position. Duties will include greeting the public at the lobby window, answering phone calls, transferring phone calls, registering offenders, processing conceal carry permits, civil process, e-filing, digitizing old files, preparing and filing case files, distributing mail and messages, receipt monies, etc.

This is a Mon. - Fri. 08:00 - 16:00 position with holidays and weekends off. The starting wage will be $14 - $18 per hour depending on qualifications. This is a full-time position and has county benefits, including: health insurance, vacation leave, sick leave, and KPER's retirement.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have a H.S. diploma or GED, and pass a background investigation.

Applications can be obtained at the Neosho County Sheriff's Office located at 402 E. State, Erie, Ks. 66733. Neosho County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

08/06/2025

The Neosho County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for open Detention Officer positions. Starting wage $19.14 - 21.14 per hour D.O.Q., plus a 1.00 per hour night shift differential. Detention Officers work a 7 out of 14-day rotation. Neosho County offers exceptional benefits including health insurance, sick leave, vacation, retirement (KPERS), uniforms, on the job training, etc. Must be at least 18, valid driver's license, H.S. Diploma or GED, other pre-employment requirements include a written general knowledge test, physical agility test, background check, and drug screen. Currently have both Male and Female Detention Officer positions available. Any questions can be directed to the Neosho County Jail Administrator, Brandy Maurer; 620-244-3888.
Applications and job descriptions can be obtained at the Neosho County Sheriff's Office; 402 E. State, Erie, Ks. 66733. Applications and resumes are also accepted via email to: [email protected] or applicants may apply on the Neosho County website.
Neosho County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.