Wichita officer refuses $10 coffee treat — then surprises woman with free Starbucks

A Wichita police officer received a public compliment after buying Starbucks for the woman who had offered him free coffee.

The Wichita Police Department received a note this week that Police Chief Gordon Ramsay shared in a Facebook post.

“Officer compliment of the week — highlighting the good things our officers do every minute of everyday. ... Nice work Officer Kevin McKenna!” Ramsay said.

A woman told the department that she was in the drive-through at the Starbucks near Wesley Medical Center when she saw a patrol car ahead of her in line. She jumped out and ran up to the officer, offering him “$10 to treat him because I am so appreciative for the hard, sometimes thankless job he does for the community.”

“He refused and under no terms would accept my gift,” the woman said. “I know you have hired an honest, friendly man. I drove through to pick up my order and that’s when I discovered that he’s a sneaky brat. The woman at the window told me that the police officer paid for my sandwich and latte.”

She asked the department to tell the officer “thank you.”

The WPD gratuity policy, which is available online, permits officers to accept free drinks and discounted meals.

This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 7:20 PM.