Slain Veteran Kan. Police Officer Served Force 'with Honor, Courage and Dedication Since 2016'

The Hays, Kansas, police officer who was fatally shot in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call over the weekend has been identified as Sgt. Scott Heimann.

Heimann, 32, died at a hospital after he was shot by a man who had barricaded himself at a house in the 2200 block of Downing St. The shooter, 34-year-old Zane Wickham of Hays, was later found dead in the home from an “apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said.

Heimann was a nine-year veteran of the Hays Police Department.

“Heimann served Hays with honor, courage, and dedication since 2016. Moreover, he was a constant presence in the community and frequently went above and beyond as a positive role model to all that knew him,” the city of Hays said in a Monday news release that identified him.

“As a city, we mourn together. We will remember Scott not only for how he served, but for who he was: a dedicated professional who served our city with unwavering commitment, integrity, and bravery.”

The KBI said Sunday that Heimann responded to the Downing Street address after the Hays Police Department received a 911 call just before midnight Saturday from a woman who “had escaped a domestic violence incident” at a home in the 2000 block of East 21st Street in Hays.

The woman told authorities she ran to a nearby house for help after Wickham drove his truck into her vehicle when she tried to flee. Authorities described Wickham as her “significant other.”

The KBI said officers from the Hays Police Department and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper “were setting up a perimeter near the backyard of Wickham’s residence” in the 2200 block of Downing Street around 1:55 a.m. Sunday when a “single shot was fired from inside the house.”

The round struck Heimann.

Other officers at the scene immediately started life-saving measures, and Heimann was flown to a regional hospital for treatment.

“Despite efforts, he died from his injuries, just after 4 a.m.,” the KBI said.

“Today we are tragically reminded that police officers serve and protect their communities (by) putting the lives of others above their own,” Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said in the city’s news release.

“Sgt. Scott Heimann gave his life in this service exemplifying dedication to the community and the safety of others. Our department, and community alike, will greatly miss his involvement, professionalism, and positive impact in the City of Hays.”

The KBI said police and highway patrol special response teams, as well as the KBI’s High Risk Warrant Team, responded to the address and tried to draw Wickham out after he barricaded himself inside his house.

“The teams negotiated with the suspect. Gas munitions, projectiles intended to break windows, and a surveillance drone were deployed into the residence during the standoff,” the KBI said.

Around 6:15 a.m. Sunday, tactical teams went into Wickham’s house and found him dead.

No law enforcement officers fired their duty weapons during the standoff, the KBI said.

Case findings will be turned over to the Ellis County attorney when the investigation concludes.

“I hope the community recognizes the service of Sgt. Heimann and takes this moment to honor his service,” Scheibler said.

“His service and sacrifice in protecting our community will never be forgotten,” Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs said in the city’s news release.

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