Independence Kansas Police Department

06/23/2026

Weather Update – City of Independence, Kansas
June 23, 2026 | 2:40 PM

Slow-moving, disorganized showers and thunderstorms are moving northeast across portions of southeast Kansas this afternoon.

The primary concerns with these storms include:
🌧️ Heavy rainfall that could lead to localized flooding
⚡ Frequent lightning strikes
💨 Gusty winds, with some locations in northeast Oklahoma reporting wind gusts of 40–45 mph

The City of Independence will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates as needed.

Please make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and emergency notifications. Stay weather-aware and use caution if you encounter heavy rain, flooding, or lightning.

Stay safe, Independence.

06/23/2026

UPDATE 6/23/26: A confirmed contact occurred on May 8th, 2026. During that contact, he was assisted in getting to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Since then, there has been no verified contact, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

If you have seen him, spoken with him, or have any information about where he may be, please contact us or your local law enforcement agency.

MISSING PERSON:
Daniel James Hillyard
Missing From: Independence, Kansas

Height: 6’0” Weight: 115 lbs
Race/Sex: White Male
Hair: brown Eyes: brown

**UPDATE 6/23/26: A confirmed contact occurred on May 8th, 2026. During that contact, he was assisted in getting to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Since then, there has been no verified contact, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

If you have seen him, spoken with him, or have any information about where he may be, please contact us or your local law enforcement agency. **

Daniel James Hillyard has been reported missing and has not been heard from or seen by family or friends in several weeks. His clothing description and last known location are unknown however, he may have been last seen on CR 3900, approximately six miles south of Independence.

If you see Daniel or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact local law enforcement, or IPD at 620-332-1700.

06/21/2026

06/19/2026

The Public Shooting Range will be closed to the public on June 20th from approximately 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM for department training.

06/18/2026

UPDATE: We have received corrected information regarding the bond amount for Rice. The bond has been set at $10,000, not $1,000 as originally reported.

At the Independence Police Department, protecting our community remains our highest priority. Through proactive investigation, strong partnerships, and a commitment to public safety, officers worked quickly to ensure there was no ongoing threat to residents.

06/18/2026

MISSING PERSON:
Daniel James Hillyard
Missing From: Independence, Kansas

Height: 6’0” Weight: 115 lbs
Race/Sex: White Male
Hair: brown Eyes: brown

**UPDATE 6/23/26: A confirmed contact occurred on May 8th, 2026. During that contact, he was assisted in getting to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Since then, there has been no verified contact, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

If you have seen him, spoken with him, or have any information about where he may be, please contact us or your local law enforcement agency. **

Daniel James Hillyard has been reported missing and has not been heard from or seen by family or friends in several weeks. His clothing description and last known location are unknown however, he may have been last seen on CR 3900, approximately six miles south of Independence.

If you see Daniel or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact local law enforcement, or IPD at 620-332-1700.

06/17/2026

Update

The area of 13th Street and Pine Street is now clear and safe. The situation has been resolved, and normal traffic and activities may resume.

The Independence Police Department would like to thank our community for your patience, support, and understanding while officers worked to safely address this incident. Your cooperation helped ensure the safety of everyone involved.

We appreciate the continued trust and partnership of our residents as we work to keep Independence safe.

🚨 Public Safety Notice 🚨

The Independence Police Department is currently investigating a situation in the area of 13th Street and Pine Street.

For your safety, please avoid the area until further notice and seek alternate routes if traveling nearby. Officers are on scene, and there may be a significant law enforcement presence while the investigation is underway.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we work to safely resolve this situation. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

Please do not approach the scene or interfere with emergency personnel.

– Independence Police Department

06/14/2026

City and Evergy crews are working this morning to clean up and restore electricity after last night’s strong wind storm - with gusts of 70 miles per hour and higher - downed tree limbs and knocked out power to parts of Independence.

Some important reminders if you are dealing with tree debris or power loss at your home:

👉If you are without electricity and have an urgent need to power medical devices, please call the Independence Police Department at (620) 332-1700 and the City will help you make arrangements for a temporary shelter.

👉If you have downed power lines on your property, please report it to the police department AND call Evergy at 800-544-4857. You can also visit Evergy's website for updates on the power restoration: https://www.evergy.com/

👉If you have downed tree limbs on your property, please stack the limbs near the front curb (NOT in alleyways or in the street), and call the City on Monday at (620) 332-2507 or use the See-Click-Fix system to request a pickup: https://www.independenceks.gov/139/Fix-It

Finally, please have patience as crews prioritize roadway safety and manage multiple wind damage situations across the community.

06/13/2026