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The Hugoton Police Department started in 1913 when Frank Flummerfelt was hired as City Marshall for the sum of $25.00 per month. He also had to maintain the city windmill and water well on Main Street. Several distinguished men have served in the leadership of the law enforcement of the city of Hugoton, Kansas, over the years. We appreciate their dedication to protect the citizens of our community. PAST CITY MARSHALS AND POLICE CHIEFS OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON
"State militiamen bivouac outside Hugoton, Kansas, in an attempt to stop the town's war with nearby Woodsdale over irregularities in an 1888 election to choose the county seat. Before Hugoton finally emerged as the victor, six men were killed and the militia was called out three times." Time Life Books The Townsmen
Four men have died in the line of duty in Stevens County. John M. Cross, the Sheriff of Stevens County, was asked to check on some cattle stealing. He deputized three other men, Roland T. Wilcox, Robert Hubbard, and C.W. Eaton. They were ambushed in the night in a rural location near Woodsdale, and the Sheriff died of a gunshot wound on July 25, 1888. This was an offshoot of the Woodsdale-Hugoton County Seat War. Charles H. Newman, City Marshal, attempted to arrest a male subject for public drunkenness on October 12, 1931 and suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the struggle. He died three days later. Earl J. Kerns, Sheriff of Stevens County, arrested a male subject for public drunkenness and in the process the subject resisted and struck Sheriff Kerns in the chest area. Sheriff Kerns expired later that night on December 13, 1949 from a heart attack. Code H. Hall, the Chief of Police of the City of Hugoton, was called to assist in a high speed pursuit. Chief Hall suffered a fatal heart attack while in pursuit but did manage to get his patrol car stopped without injury to anyone else. He died on August 25, 1976 at the age of 61.
Anyone having historical pictures of anything pertaining to the Hugoton Police Department, or old news articles or stories, may contact Angie Moore at 620-544-4959. We can scan the pictures into the computer and return your picture to you. We would appreciate any contributions to the history of the police department. You may email pictures, articles (with newspaper name and author), or other information to Webmaster, Angie Moore at admoore@pld.com.
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