SEDGWICK COUNTY — A 12-year veteran of a Kansas sheriff’s office and a suspected vehicle thief were fatally shot when a fight broke out during the suspect’s arrest in a rural area of Wichita, authorities said.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said Deputy Robert Kunze was shot Sunday afternoon after receiving a call about a black truck that had been stolen. He said the 41-year-old Kunze was “an exceptional deputy.”

When Kunze arrived at the scene about 20 miles west of downtown Wichita, he found the hood open on the black vehicle. Kunze patted down the suspect’s waistband and found a 40-caliber handgun. The gun was placed away from the two of them, but a fight ensued when Kunze tried to handcuff the suspect, Easter said at a news conference Sunday.

Easter said Kunze’s service weapon was discharged, but investigators don’t know how many shots were fired or if the suspect’s handgun was fired too. Kunze was able to use the emergency button on his portable radio to summon help. Another deputy arrived about a minute later, and two witnesses hiding nearby said shots had been fired. The deputy found Kunze and the suspect on the ground. A 40-caliber handgun was found next to the suspect identified Monday as 29-year-old Robert C. Greeson, according to Lt. Tim Myers.

Kunze had been shot once in his upper torso above his ballistic vest, Easter said. The suspect was shot in his upper torso and waist. Kunze died at a hospital, while Greeson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooting is under investigation. Easter said the deputy’s vehicle was equipped with a dash camera but that footage was not yet available.

He said Greeson has been linked to several crimes in the area on Sunday — the theft of a .40-caliber weapon, a silver vehicle and the black truck. He said there are no other suspects in Kunze’s death, but that there may be more suspects in the other cases.

Easter described the deputy’s death as a “tragedy,” saying Kunze “worked with great pride, loved and encouraged the people who worked with him, but most of all he loved his family.” Kunze had a wife and child.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office posted a badge covered with a blue and black mourning band on its Facebook page to remember Kunze.

“We will always remember him for his smile, his contagious laugh and his ability to engage anyone and everyone in conversation,” Easter said.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting Sunday in rural Sedgwick County.

The deputy who died has been identified as 41-year-old Robert Kunze, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter.

At 1:18 pm, Sunday deputies were dispatched to the area of 53rd Street North and 295th Street West for a suspicious character. Deputy Kunze found a subject matching the description of the suspicious character call near the intersection of 295th Street West on 21st Street North, at approximately 1:42 pm.

At approximately 1:48 pm, Deputy Kunze activated the emergency button on his portable radio. Deputy Farias arrived on scene and notified dispatch a deputy was down. Deputy Kunze was transported to St. Francis by ambulance. Deputy Kunze succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at approximately 2:55 pm.

The suspect who shot Deputy Kunze was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s department has not released the suspect’s name.

The suspect was allegedly involved in three crimes, according to Easter. Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to an aggravated robbery involving a stolen vehicle.

Just before 9:30a.m. Kunze responded to reported of a larceny of a vehicle. A .40 caliber handgun was reported stolen, according to Easter.
Police in Cheny located the stolen vehicle just before 6p.m. Sunday. Easter said the unidentified suspect is believed involved in each incident.

Kunze was a 12 year veteran of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department. He is survived by a wife and child, according to Easter.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deputy involved shooting that took the life of a Sedgwick County Deputy.

The deputy was responding to a suspicious character call. A second deputy on the scene found the deputy and suspect down, unresponsive suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Harper Police.

Authorities are expected to release more information at a press conference Sunday evening, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office.

Please keep the Officer’s family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as his extended family at the Sedgwick County Sheriff office.
Rest in peace Sir. pic.twitter.com/TsBitlCEBN

— WichitaFireDept (@WichitaFireDept) September 16, 2018