Topeka police officer killed; suspect in custody

A Topeka police officer was shot and killed Sunday while making a car stop, authorities said.

Shawnee County Sheriff Herman Jones said at a news conference that the officer had stopped a car in east Topeka and in the middle of the stop, the officer was shot. Authorities said the driver then fled.

The sheriff’s department said authorities got the call at about 4:45 p.m., and responders found the critically wounded officer, who was taken to a hospital. Jones said the officer was pronounced dead there about 15 minutes later.

Jones identified the officer as Cpl. Jason Harwood, 40, a decorated 15-year veteran who leaves behind a wife and two children. He served in the hit-and-run and canine units before being promoted to corporal in May 2012.

“He loved his job,” said interim Police Chief Tony Kirk. “He was a dedicated law enforcement officer. We’re going to miss him.”

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued a statement calling the officer’s death an “unspeakable loss.”

The sheriff’s office said a 30-year-old male suspect was taken into custody without incident around 8 p.m. in Lawrence, about 20 miles to the east. Jones said authorities are still investigating whether there were more people in the car.

The sheriff’s office typically investigates killings of Topeka police officers. In December 2012, two Topeka officers were fatally shot as they investigated reported drug activity in the parking lot of a Topeka grocery store. The suspect was later shot and killed after a standoff with authorities.

This story was originally published September 7, 2014 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Topeka police officer killed; suspect in custody."