Police Officer Formally Charged In Court
Police Officer Formally Charged In Court Save Email Print
Reporter: Jennifer Bocchieri
Email Address: jennifer.bocchieri@kake.com
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A Kansas law enforcement officer appeared in court Friday morning, but this time he was the accused.

A 23-year-old Sedan Police Officer Caleb Shawn Butler, was charged with having sex with minors, sexual battery and allowing minors to drink alcohol and domestic battery.

"It comes as a shock to most people and also to this office," said Chautauqua County Attorney Kristen Hutchinson.

The County Attorney can't discuss details of the case, but KAKE News has learned the alleged crimes involved three teens who, at the time, were 15, 16 and 17 years old. It all started in December of 2006 and continued over the course of a year.

"Shawn was a good friend of mine," said Butler's friend Jacky Kirkpatrick. "He was nice and I didn't think he'd do it. I just still can't believe he did it."

Butler joined the Sedan police force just over a year ago, the same time investigators began looking into his alleged crimes. The KBI arrested him earlier this week. He is now suspended from the department until the case is over. Butler is due back in court in two weeks.
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Posted by: friend Location: caney on Apr 29, 2009 at 01:15 PM
yah i know this happen 7 months ago and i had posted something then and i decided since i was talkin about it with friend today thatd id look it up and see what else anyone had to say.... so i still think shawn is a great guy he now is a dad and loves everything about it he loved being a cop but now that he isnt anymore and has the time to spend with his own kid and teach him whats right and wrong that the parents of the girls that were i guess "raped" can sit down with them and do the same because not to be rude or and thhing but sedan has alot of things bad in it but their are cops children who are the worst of them all and think that they can get away with anything so people need to look at that. I think shawn is a great guy and hope that everything works in his favor in the future.
Posted by: anonymous Location: Sedan on Sep 26, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I have lived in tis town almost all my life and year after year the crime gets morse and worseand nothing seems to be done about it until election year.It doesn't matter who these girls are or how they were acting shawn should have known better weither he was in law enforcement at the time or not. As far as our so called sherriffs department it is a joke there is no law unless it's timee to be re-elected then there are drug busts and people arrested and then turned loose back on the streets to do the same thing again just because they told on all their buddies so they don't have to do any time.Kids are taking guns to school and displaying them in a parking lot and yet they are still in our school around our children and grandchildern were is the law around here. I'm so tired of not feeling safe anymore
Posted by: disgusted Location: kansas on Sep 24, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Its unfortunate that the sheriff was voted out by his community and yet he still tries to wiggle his way back in. Give it up, move on. You know he is trying to bargain with criminals, telling them he'll "pull strings" to keep them out of trouble in exchange for their votes! Personally thats not the kind of "honest" man I want in charge, and apparently the rest of the town agrees, hence the fact..he lost the election!! Its no wonder our sheriff's department is a joke with a leader like that. Thank goodness our new Sheriff will soon take office.
Posted by: amazed Location: kansas on Sep 20, 2008 at 12:05 AM
The clothes make the man as they say. I have lived in many cities and many states, and Cq County has the only sheriff's department I have seen that doesn't wear uniforms. Part of being a professional is looking the part.
Posted by: Nic Location: Kansas on Sep 3, 2008 at 04:49 AM
Sheriff Green’s seemingly harmless statement commending the hard work of his deputies that made “this year’s drug bust a reality,” sheds a frightening light on the Sheriff’s method of policing. There is something very unsettling going on in a county when “this year’s drug bust” (Bust, singular, as in ‘ONE DRUGBUST’) conveniently occurs during an election year, rather than when the evidence against the suspect became available. By all accounts the suspect had been cooking Meth for several years, so why was he allowed to continue such a clearly criminal act for so long? At the end of the day, Frank Green and his deputies have repeatedly communicated a very strong message to criminals of ALL persuasions: the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s department has a Zero Tolerance policy against crime, as long as that stance has a political application in an upcoming election.
Posted by: Nic Location: Kansas on Sep 3, 2008 at 04:47 AM
Keep in mind folks; if Shawn’s alleged crimes were being investigated over a year ago and the arrest was saved until now, the Sheriff's department let a known criminal threat walk the streets for 365 days beyond the point of reasonable suspicion. Further, they allowed that threat to possess a badge and the means by which to undermine any good that badge stands for. My previous statement relies heavily on the notion that Shawn is guilty. For a statement less reliant on theory or the pending judgment of a jury, we can turn to the so-called “this year’s drug bust,” in which the CQ sheriff’s department seized at least 7.5 pounds of street-worthy Meth from a CQ resident.
Posted by: Nic Location: Kansas on Sep 3, 2008 at 04:12 AM
Thank God Frank Green and his little circus of military wash-outs are on their way out. I won't go so far as to "blame the girls," because from a legal standpoint, at least 2 of them may not have been able to consent, and the "blame the victim" mentality is a disgusting remnant of the "you meet your rapist half way" mentality. Here are a couple of the more prevalent rumors about the CQ sheriff misfits that some of you may find useful. 1. "Frank Green has had sexual harassment charges filed against him more than once since he took office." 2. "A local drug dealer has been contacted multiple times by a Deputy when police are on their way to search his home." 3. "On multiple occasions Frank 'checked out' young girls, making inappropriate comments about them to colleagues. On at least one occasion, the girl turned out to be one of Frank's teenage daughters." Frank Green: "We're just gonna try and subpoena everyone close to Shawn [Butler] so his life gets so bad he kills himself."
Posted by: does it matter Location: everywhere on Aug 30, 2008 at 10:28 PM
ordinary people have been destroyed by these politics.this isnt new.personally i dont find the accusations obseen at all.
Posted by: not so friend Location: sedan on Aug 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM
as i was a student in sedan high school along with Shawn, ever since i met him from day one i knew something was up with him, my friends would always come over and tell me things(that were improper) that were said of me. that made me worry since i knew he was a loose cannon from i seen the threat and gestures he made towards others. Thank god no one was hurt. As for if he was not found guilty i pray that all young ladies be aware not everyone is safe, a male and female usually cant be friends without one wanting more.
Posted by: Twilla Location: Oklahoma City on Aug 26, 2008 at 04:35 PM
I'll leave a comment, with my real name not some bs coverup. You would be surprised at what pedophiles do and how they groom their prey. He is a pedophile regardless if it was consensual or not, these are kids, he is a adult. My prayer is that all of these pedophiles in the town of Sedan are brought down one way or another.
Posted by: Friend Location: Caney on Aug 26, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I know he is innocent! So i'd blame the girls. There are more that think he is innocent than they think are guilty and the ones that think he is guilty obivously dont know him very well. Yeah he is a Cop so think about it he didnt do it. if u disagree then leave a comment!
Posted by: Country Girl Location: SEDAN on Aug 25, 2008 at 09:49 PM
When these people post comments on here and say that they cant believe that he would ever do such a thing, you want to know why they say it?! Its cause he DIDNT DO IT!!! So all of you who thinks that he did well you obviously dont know the people involved in it!!
Posted by: Wilson Location: Sedan on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:41 PM
As a resident of Sedan, despite its appearanace of a quaint, old town I can tell you it is a small town that has a lot of corruption in 'high' places that is mostly kept under cover. It does not bode well that the sherrif and police departments are at odds with each other.There is hope after the last election that a new sheriff will soon make the needed changes. It is interesting that what the KBI investigated over a YEAR ago-a year Shawn has been a outstanding police officer-these charges have ressurfaced just as the old sheriff has been voted out! Shawn is a good officer because he knows the corruption in the town young people with drugs and alcohol. But when he tries to do something about it,his past errors in judgment are blown out of porportion and are used against him to try to prevent these teens from getting the just punishment they should. If we are going to arrest Shawn, then a good portion of the high school should be arrested, as well as those criminals in 'high' places!
Posted by: anonymous Location: Paradise on Aug 21, 2008 at 11:27 PM
you really have to know the people involved before you judge. I understand how you want "child molesters" off the streets, but Sedan is a much different place. The girls in Sedan High School are "TOO easy" is a term that fits. I was actually put in a situation similar to Shawn's now, where accusations were pinned on me, and no one seemed to care at all what the truth was. And out of the Police Depts. involved There was only one officer who I could trust, and who was actually honest. The fact that he's my cousin makes no difference, what did was he just happens to be Shawn Butler. The rest simply made a joke out of the themselves and the investigation. I honestly think Shawn has nothing to worry about, with the stupidity that local PD's have shown, The truth should be more then enough to get them confused. If it werent for Shawn, I may not be where or what I am now. I am definitly not going to say, he didnt make a mistake, but honestly, havent we all? I moved to Kansas didnt I?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Sedan on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:44 PM
dude hes innocent. the girls that were so called raped are the corrupted ones. i dislike it when people see this and immediatly think he is guilty. they dont even know him or the girls. you would need to ask a local about it.
Posted by: resident Location: Chautauqua on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:51 PM
As reading the comments I can’t help but read between the lines on both sides, I wonder how anyone could be an officer of the law with such an investigation going on and why allowed to serve until cleared up . I hear blame on the girls and how it was just a simple mistake on his part. Then all the suddenly when no one has the real answer for mistakes on both sides the blame and label the whole town as unlawful, drunken, immoral, potheads when that is far from the truth. I can only assume that the faith in him should also be given to the system for I am sure if it was Shawn’s child he would want the same. I truly think Shawn believed in his oath he took and down inside it would come to a head at some point. Why would you work or serve under someone if you thought so many illegal agendas was going on and knew about first hand it makes you just as guilty. I don't think anyone is happy about all the bad highlight given to our county we are better than this.
Posted by: anonymous Location: Sedan on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:29 PM
No one should post a comment on here unless you know these girls!! Shawn Butler is getting ready to be a dad so why bring all this up now!! I dont care who was doing the investigation either way you are wrong for doing this to Shawn! He never did anything wrong! Yes he slept with these girls but these girls knew what they were doing! Yes Shawn should have stopped it but if these girls are old enough to have sex they are old enough to say NO! I have known Shawn for 6 years now and I know hes not capable of raping a teenager! So now that because of these girls lying, an innocent man cant even be in the delivery room when his first child is born!! Hope you are happy with yourselves for doing this to him!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Here is something for all those people saying lay off the sheriff's office because it was the KBI doing the investigating and the arresting. The KBI is an assisting agent in law enforcement. Let's think about what that means. They assist the sherrif's department in their case. And then ask why the KBI made the arrest? Because of conflicting interests. Both departments have and still have to work together and if one has to arrest another then it becomes a personal issue. The charges are filed by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department. How is it not their doing????
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM
People need to understand that Shawn was NOT an officer of the law when these events took place. The sheriffs office is in a bad spot because they are getting booted out of there at election time. So, they just wanted to ruin Shawns career for the hell of it. The poeple of Sedan know exactly how the sheriff operates and they like him. I think they are the ones you need a reality check on the LAW. Shawn is by far taking the crap here. He is in my prayers. The people of Sedan need a wake-up call.
Posted by: BB on Aug 18, 2008 at 06:30 PM
My brother knew of illeagle activity within the sheriffs department. He had told me about some of this activity on several occasions. When he was going to blow the whistle on the sheriffs department they trumped up these charges. I think KBI should investigate the sheriffs department.
Posted by: Brian Butler on Aug 18, 2008 at 05:34 PM
oh and one other thing, My brother used to work for the sheriff's department as a dispatcher. Him and the sheriff had a internal dispute at that time. It was well known the sheriff didn't like my brother. Alot of police departments are so full of politics that they will cultivate their own agendas, especially in little towns. An elected official like a sheriff has alot of power with his position and has the ability to pick up a phone and call KBI and tell them anything. I believe that there is a whole bunch of people that are being protected from certain illeagle actions and they are using my brother as a scape goat, for instance, the girls that are making the charges,,,i think maybe should look at the parents and investigate them for allowing there kids to smoke dope and then when a police officer arrests them on those charges, the only thing to say is the cop raped them,,,it happens all the time all over the country. Anybody that knows my brother, (all of sedan) knows he didn't do it.
Posted by: PLEASE Location: KS on Aug 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM
SENCE WHEN DID THEY START GIVING OUT LAPTOPS IN JAIL,GET REAL PEOPLE!!!!!!
Posted by: concerend Location: ok on Aug 17, 2008 at 05:03 PM
i think we should all open our closet door and let it all out in the open,maybe the girls should of known better then to be at shawns and maybe i know my kids know wether they are to be at someone place with out my consent but i must say there are a lot of girls in cq county that are free and willing.and that is all cq county is good for is the under age drinking and the drugs.because this county and town will not let any thing come in for kid to do but to drive the back road tear up fields and other people property so i belive it is the whole county and town fault that this crap goes on this place is a retirement community that is for old people and not kids.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Chautauqua on Aug 17, 2008 at 03:58 PM
In my opinion shawn is responsible for his own actions.Even if the girls were flaunting themselves he knew they were underage and made his own decisions.The girls didnt make up his mind for him. I also belive that the sheriffs department should be left out of this.Its as if some people think the sheriffs department is out to get shawn.However that is not the case.
Posted by: Warren Location: Wichita on Aug 17, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Is give me a break is that kake, If he commited the crime the court will take care of that. not Kake, I am not Blaming him or the girls,NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW,
Posted by: give me a break Location: wichita on Aug 17, 2008 at 01:37 PM
IF HE COMMITED THE CRIME. HE SHALL DO THE TIME. HE IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW JUST BECAUSE HE IS THE LAW. YOU KNOW!!!! HE KNOWS THE RULES ON UNDERAGE ACTIVITIES AND WHEN YOU PAY YOU WILL PAY. QUIT BLAMING THE GIRLS!!
Posted by: Sue Ellen Location: Wichita on Aug 17, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Kake, Police office or John Doe He is Innocent until proven by a court of law. and you have put his picture on TV For every one to see. Shame on you.
Posted by: citizen Location: CQ on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I do have to say that the majority of these posts are people who are his friends,family, and most likely him posting on his own issue.
Posted by: Marine boy Location: Kansas on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:42 PM
HOpes he watches his back.......
Posted by: concerened mom and grnadmother Location: kansas on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:44 PM
All of you who are ddefending this man either dont have children, or just don't care. If this happened to your child would you be so quick to defend this officer whose job is to protect and seve the citizens. The kbi i think made the arrest and did the ivestigating so lay off the sheriff's office. Ask you city coucil why they didn't take action along time ago. You are blaming the wrong people and i don't know how any of you sleep at night.
Posted by: Jeremy Location: Wichita on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:38 PM
As a local Sedan HS graduate, I know Shawn, as well as some of the girls that are blaming him for this crime, and I say it is a bunch of bull. As far as the parents go for the girls if they don't want that to happen to their kids then keep a tighter leash on them. And as for the authorities in that county, that is just as bad of a joke as it is the girls blaming Shawn for their actions as well as his w/ them. He wasn't even a cop when they started the investigation, so in my opinion as well as others i'm sure this had to have something to do w/ political debates on the sheriffs part. I wish the best for Shawn, and I find it a shame that no one is there to back him when he needs it most.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: wichita on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:31 PM
As a person that was from the sedan area, all I have to say is that Shawn is a good person. And as for the girls that are in that town, well they are what I would call hoochies. If they could just be taught to keep their legs closed then it might be different not only for them but for someone like Shawn. So therefore I say Shawn is innocent, and the girls and the political canidate that put him in this situation should be the ones on trial.
Posted by: William T. Location: Sedan on Aug 16, 2008 at 03:52 PM
I went to school with Shawn and he is not this way. I've also worked with the guy and this is not him. The girls around here just cried wolf over nothing. What about the crimes over the last couple of years nothing happened they just let them go with a slap on the wrist. And now the GREAT sheriff's department is doing one last thing before they lose there jobs to the new guy.
Posted by: friend Location: Sedan on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:26 AM
First off, you are innocent until proven guilty. These alleged girls who were supposedly 'raped' consented to it. Two were legal to do that. The other was not. They are crying 'rape' for the simple fact that they cheated on their boyfriends and don't want them to break up with them. That and there parents are pushing it because they don't have enough guts to stand up to them and tell them that they wanted it. As for the alcohol, if you have ever been in Sedan, KS, you would know that this whole damn town drinks alcohol and smokes pot. That's nothing new. No, Shawn should not have done what he did. And he knows it. But when these girls go out and flaunt their stuff and provoke him, he is going to do what any other 23 year old male is going to do. If you know Shawn and his 'victims' you would know that this is a bunch of B.S. Shawn is a good person. He has a baby on the way. He made a mistake, and now he is paying for it with all this humiliation. Those girls just need to grow up.
Posted by: Sara on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Remember that this didn't happen when he was 23 either...it happened a couple of years ago...and if it had been made public then, no one would have blinked twice becuz he wasn't that old either. There are two sides to every story and maybe we should wait to hear his before we make him guilty.
Posted by: Cindy on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:35 PM
A 23 yr old police officer knows you can not play around with 15 year old girls and should get the same rath as a citizen. The age of consent is 16 in kansas. If he gave them alchol then that is also a crime. If the charges stick it doesn't matter he should go prison. It don't matter what "kind of girls" they are.
Posted by: anomymous Location: Caney on Aug 15, 2008 at 11:27 PM
From what I understand the KBI did the investigating and filed the charges. Why are you blaming the sheriff's department.
Posted by: confused Location: Chautauqua, Kansas on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Quoting the article above, "Butler joined the Sedan police force just over a year ago, the same time investigators began looking into his alleged crimes." If he was being investigated for these alleged crimes before he was hired on, why would he have been hired if he was already under investigation as a "citizen" and not an officer. It sounds like he was being framed before he became an officer. It sounds like a "higher up" already had a grudge against our city officers. It makes one wonder what sort of insecure person of authority would do such a thing. Why in the world would you hire a man who was already under investigation to "serve and protect?"
Posted by: anomymous Location: Hutchinson on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Why put the blame on the victims, the officer is held to a higher standard and should have known that.
Posted by: another concerned citizen Location: Sedan on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Do you want to know what "haunts" us, true sex offenders in this town, who have kidnapped and raped YOUNG girls 3 times their age. OLD Men kidnapping and assaulting our YOUNG boys. Offenders who were never shackled and lead into the courtroom for far worse crimes. This officer is 23 and these girls are not "children", yes, they are not of legal consent by the law, but these girls were not totally innocent, anyone who lives here knows that. He should have taken the higher road and not associated with 15, 16, and 18 year olds, but you can't tell me that these girls were forced into something they weren't flirting with. It's a shame that politics in this county may cost a man a career. It may not have been a good decision on Officer Butlers part, but he is far from a molester he is being accused of. People should not throw stones, it could very well come back soon to bite some of our other local law enforcement in the butt. Politics and jealousy are playing a major role in this case.
Posted by: evelynn Location: chicago on Aug 15, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I think this is B.S. He is a good person! All these young girls around sedan go looking for older guys and then that guy gets blamed for some B.S. like this!!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Well knowing what i do know i can tell you that these charges are bogus. Try living in Chautauqua County with the way law is enforced by the sheriffs department. It is nothing but pathetic. This here is a game of politics because of conflicting issues with the police department of sedan and the sheriffs office. All this seems to be is a mere gesture of ruining a reputation. And for Kake 10 try to get some stories straight. Remember everyone is innocent until proven guilty. So why say that he has done these things when they are only allegations.
Posted by: Sam Location: Wichita on Aug 15, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I pray to God he didn't do it, but I am sure that he probably did. I am not judging but we have enough of these sicko's to keep track of. Speaking of, the nely formed Registered Offenders Unit at the Sheriff's Office seems to be taking care of the ones that are out of line. Thank you, best thing the Sheriff's Office has done in a while.
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    Fire Department: Fireworks Are Illegal In Most Of Sedgwick County
    • Posted By: : Park city looked like the first Iraq war last night!!! It was spectacular,the whole sky was lit up waaayyyy into the night in ALL neighborhoods...like it is EVERY year and did not have ONE incident of a feild or house fire! Sorry you people in Wichita did not get to enjoy! If you're good...we might let you come and see us shoot them next year...but thats only if you're good..kiddys.
    • Posted By: Stacy: These guidelines are good. However, I'm new to Wichita and I have to say I'm shocked at how many people shoot off fireworks in the city proper and in parking lots of businesses andapartment buildings (like the one I live in). If it's illegal to do this, why on earth is it so commonplace? I was in the military for a few years, about 3 of which were spent in a lot of different areas of the continental U.S., not to mention the nearly 18 years I grew up in mosly Montana. I never before have seen an entire city with so many amateur fireworks displays inside of city limits. Law enforcement, why aren't you enforcing anything?
    • Posted By: Anonymous: I agree with Frankie although the sedgwick county fire department says they only enforce the law, they pushed for the fireworks ban. I believe the original was in 1978. I know it was after bottle rockets were made illegal in Kansas. I wish government would quit trying to protect us from ourselves, we need protection from them. I'm sure our tax dollars paid for the signs, putting them up, and then for taking them down stuck all over! KAKE needs to go through it's archives and find the original ban the sedgwick county commissioners signed and also read the constitution it says that we have the right to celebrate our independance with fireworks. For those complaining about fires in rural areas I've lived out in rural sedgwick for over 50 years and the instance of a house or wheatfield fire being caused by fireworks is pretty uncommon. It's a sparsely populated area unlike city living and fireworks tend to go up not shoot out for miles. Farmers intentionally light the stubble after harvest!
    • Posted By: Firefighter: Fireworks were banned in Sedgwick County in 1978. Why? There weren't enough firefighters and equipment to go around. Calls were waiting for a response. Firefighters came to work at 7:00 and didn't see their station until the following morning. There were was much damage to fire equipment. The County department had a tank truck roll. This type of response had been occuring for several years. This doesn't even speak to the damage to stuctures, possesions and the persons that where injured. The departments and civic leaders said enough,and fireworks were banned. Some of you say we are unamerican. Far from the truth. You have asked us to watch after you and assist in the time of need. Sometimes that means prevetion instead of action. I love fireworks as much as the next person. Fireworks have slowly made it back into many communities. If everyone can prove they have self control and caution when using fireworks then, they may come back everywhere. Stay safe this 4th.
    • Posted By: Anonymous: I guess I'm one of the hundreds of others that did not realize ALL FIREWORKS WERE ILLEGAL! (At least For those of us living outside a city limits in sedgwick county). I knew that while some cities Belle Plaine, Clearwater, Haysville, etc.. chose to allow BIG STUFF (the aerials) Wichita did not. The 78' fireworks ban was for the BIG STUFF!! The unincorporated areas had to follow sedgwick county's allowable fireworks same as the city of wichita chose to do. What year did they sneak in NO FIREWORKS AT ALL OF ANY TYPE for unincorporated sedgwick county?? It wasn't in the original ban. Living outside the city limits of any town, even when ALL FIREWORKS were allowed there were no fireworks stands out here, and the news was saying buy where you live, I called the no fire number for the sedgwick county fire department and asked where we should buy fire works that would be legal and I was told in wichita city limits. This is unconstitutional, prejudiced and segregates rural sedgwick county!!!!
    • Posted By: George Washington: This is all silly. I am going outside to set off Fireworks.
    • Posted By: Susan: Ok, I will expect everyone who is upset to show up at the next Sedgwick County council meeting. If you don't even at least call your councilman, than you should not complain.
    • Posted By: Shaun: I think that people in the county needs to remember that this day is to celebrate or freedom as a country!!! China gave us fireworks to help US and a COUNRTY celebrate. To me this is UNAMERICAN!!! Yes, i agree that the big ones that can set major fires sould probly not be shot in rural areas. And all though this law don't affect me personally, it still does as I am a soldier and an American. I am proud of my country. Even if I could only shoot off fountains or what ever I still think that is better than nothing. As long as the person shooting them off is doing it on a concrete surface I don't see why they can't have small fireworks!!!!!
    • Posted By: donald otnes: My daughter called me at 10:15 pm on July 2, 2009. She had people setting off fireworks in her housing district. The kids were firing off the ones that sound like a bomb going off. Are people that stupid to let kids have fireworks that could blow up and take a hand off or even there face.
    • Posted By: miss america: My family is apparently among the wild, irresponsible rednecks in unincorporated Sedgwick county that have shot off fireworks every year on the 4th since I was a baby. It's true there is a need to protect farmers' wheatfields, so I can understand why the county might ban the big fireworks that fly up in the air, and bottle rockets, etc. But, why shouldn't we be able to at least set off the smaller fireworks, such as fountains, that are less dangerous? Why are our families denied the privilege of celebrating the 4th in a safe, fun way just because we live in the unincorporated areas? This fireworks ban on the 4th needs to be loosened up. It's really not fair.
    • Posted By: a: Think about this people! Fireworks are loud and anoying! I am so sick of people setting them off late at night while we are trying to sleep! My baby is being kept up by fireworks because people set them off at two in the morning!Please just think about where you are setting them off like close to houses and apartment buildings. Those are not good places to be doing them!
    • Posted By: Firefighters daughter: For those who think that firefighters just "sit around" you obviously have no idea what these people do. Just looking at the 4th, I can recall as a child how we all wondered if my dad would get to finish his hamburger before being called out to yet another of the many fires he went on that day . The work they do isn't restricted to a summer holiday. Think about the gear they wear...heavy coats, boots, air tanks, even on 100 degree days. Take a walk in their boots and face the fires, car accidents, tornado/storms, floods, and other emergencies they must face with courage, calm, and strength in order to save lives and property. As for "washing the truck" and other maintenance that must be done, do you want a rusted out, broken hosed truck showing up at your house because they DIDN't do those things? I hope they do get a chance to relax, eat, sleep, etc. between the emergencies they must face. I want a well rested and ready fire fighter showing up at my house should I ever need one
    • Posted By: rebecca: hey does anyone know if the little boy that went into QT has been found? I know this isn't the topic but I just wanted to know.
    • Posted By: : h: I believe that fireworks like Black Cats can be used in Derby as well as Wichita (it's been a long time since I've done any here so I wouldn't definitely know). But they might be setting off something bigger like an M50. The main problems they've had is with the ones that burst into showers of colored balls and sparks like we see in the big displays, roman candles, M80s and the ones that spray out sparks. The Eagle Beacon, last year, said that a good rule of thumb is if they shoot out sparks more than about 6 feet from the device then they are probably illegal.
    • Posted By: h: well they are sure shooting them in derby and we're in sedgwick county either they are not banned or the police in derby are not doing anything about the ones that are shooting off fireworks already. Frankly I'm sick of it, the neighborhood kids are shooting them off close to my property and my dogs are having fits, a call to the local police dpt says nothing they can do....so if they are banned in sedgwick county then they should be banned in derby and the derby police dpt needs to start enforcing the ban, if they aren't banned in derby then they need to be, there are other ways of having a good time on the 4th of July without having to endanger your yard, my yard, your life!!!!
    • Posted By: : If everyone was a responible person that means for their self and for the one's that have children, then we wouldn't have had these laws made.The population is so high now that the fire departments are on overload because of the people that will not take responsiblity for their actions.And as far as the fire department setting around!!! Let your house be on fire and then have to wait because these people are not at their work area's because you think they are setting around.I would hate for them to be kept busy 24/7. What would happen to our town without them if that were the case.Already the street that I live on is littered with trash from fire works because people are not responsibly.(not all)
    • Posted By: D: I completely agree with Anonymous at 9:26. Linda, unless you've been living under a rock, it's been well known for years that fireworks are illegal in the city limits. They make the same announcements every year. They don't sell the "big" illegal fireworks in the city but everyone still goes out of city limits to buy them and then come back home and shoot them off out in the neighborhood streets. I've seen fireworks in my neighborhood that would rival the ones at riverfest and Lawrence Dumont stadium and they aren't legal in the city.
    • Posted By: : Cliff: That's true but when they are burned off purposely there are fire control measures in place. When someone sets a fire with fireworks they tend to run away and then it gets out of control. Like I said, I've missed work because of people who do this. The reason why they made them illegal in Sedgwick County to begin with is because most people here are not responsible enough to use them safely. And Linda: They've been telling people every year that they are illegal. Most people just don't pay attention. And they only selll fireworks in Wichita that you can set off in Wichita. That's why they've always said "Shoot them where you buy them".
    • Posted By: Rod: I'm with 'Anonymous on Jul 1, 2009 at 08:08 AM'... Helps us Obama! We need you to protect us from ourselves! ALL PRAISE OBAMA!!!
    • Posted By: Linda: Ok, for one I think if they were illegal, than why didn't we know about it along time ago. I bet that the majority of the people that lives in Wichita didn't know this, and I think it is not right to start enforcing it NOW, I mean come on the main reason why people shoot of fireworks is for the kids entertainment, Also if its going to be illegal than why on earth should selling fireworks at the stands not be? People see the signs that fireworks are illegal, but when they are driving around wichita and see firework stands it just tempts them that much more. So I think its not right.
    • Posted By: cliff: anonomous at 8;08, fireworks are a tradition on the fourth of july. and the "tinderbox "harvesed wheat fields are usually burnt off this time of year anyway even without fireworks.
    • Posted By: : Bottle Rocket Roger: What makes you think being American means you should have the right to set off explosives? For the idiots who think they need to have fireworks: how many of you have to call into work and tell your boss you can't come in because some moron set fire to your house or yard? What about when they go outside the city & set them off in newly harvested wheat fields that are nothing more than tinderboxes at this time of year? Every year for the past six years I've lost pay because idiots cannot control themselves or the fires they set.
    • Posted By: don: its really sad,,,,we are not hardly even "independent" anymore,,,the government has "used" up all are rights,,,,,like the ol' saying goes though "just be glad your not getting ALL the government you pay for",,,,,period, end of sentence !!!!
    • Posted By: : Anonymous who is coming down on firefighters and their "lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals" has no clue what firefighters do and how many calls many of the stations get,though many are medical. Firefighters are not exactly unpatriotic joy-squelchers, but they are supposed to educate the general public about fire safety. If you even understood all the job entailed you wouldn't talk like that.
    • Posted By: Bottle Rocket Roger: When I lived in a town just north of wichita,we were able to shoot fireworks ALL day long for a week..Park City allows fireworks ALL day long for week,NO problems in either town! We celebrate the 4th like americans in these towns! The people that made fireworks illegal in Wichita and hate the fireworks are ALL UNAMERICAN! Go hide in you're basements and shake like a coward..the M80's are coming!
    • Posted By: : We need two things immediately. One, a petition to remove this descriminatory 1978 law against residents of the county, and secondly, another petition to remove the authors of this law if they are still in office, and any other person in authority that supports it. I'll drive any distance to sign those petitions. Our tax dollars were used to print and post these signs and will also be used again to remove them, and patrol neighborhoods looking for little kids shooting ladyfinger firecrackers. This travesty of the use of our tax dollars must be exposed with those that have attacked Independence Day.
    • Posted By: Bob: Enforce the law! Many firewoks are dangerous, destructive, and disturbing--especially to pets.
    • Posted By: : I never knew there were so many un-educated people around the state. It even says in the text of the story, that the fire department is not going to be doing extra patrolling, due to staffing. People are very careless with their fireworks in the "uncorperated" area's of the county. You add wind, and some dry wood, or brush.. And you cause a very dangerous situation, and put those "poorly staffed" fire deparments that respond in danger. ****If you live in a town/city in "sedgwick County".. you need to check your local laws. The no fireworks law - is for "uncorprated" - aka *NOT IN CITY LIMITS*
    • Posted By: Michelle: Can't we come to a compromise? Make them illigal everyday of the year, except the 4th? I agree with the ones on here that said we are celebrating our FREEDOM! This is what the USA is about. Hotdogs, baseball and fireworks! 8-)
    • Posted By: Kristy: "But many like Sedgwick County Resident Michael Dixson don't plan on breaking the law." Seriously - someone who writes for a news station should be familiar with proper grammar usage.
    • Posted By: : How ironic it is that it's Independance Day however; they tell you that you can't fire off any fireworks.....at least any that are worth paying money for. Yes, we're slowly on our way to becoming a communist country. I miss Archie Bunker!
    • Posted By: : Why even celebrate??? Pretty sad when Amerians can't participate in the tradation and celebration of America's Indepandance. I feel for you rual Sedwick County people. Sedwick County SUCKS!!
    • Posted By: Tim: The Fire Department IS NOT encouraging people to call 911 every time they see people shooting fireworks, this will create an unnecessary strain on the 911 system. The problem is being worked on and will take time to get things all straightened out. If you have an emergency or a problem that warrants calling 911 by all means call 911. What is not needed is a call to 911 every time you see someone shooting a firecracker.
    • Posted By: : The fire departments are going out of their way with NO FIREWORKS signs just because they don't want to have to work any more than they have to. Little fire here and there disrupts their lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals!
    • Posted By: topper: at one time you couldn't shoot fire works in dodge, now that we can the 2nd through the 5th i think. i havent heard of more fires or whatever it is you think is going to happen if you were to allow.. its the 4th of july, and you stoping people from celebrating. thats dumb if you ask me. besides, people are going to shoot them off no matter what you do.
    • Posted By: Frankie: The Fire Department says it only enforces the law against fireworks in Sedgwick County, but I've lived here since 1938 and I remember that it was the Sedgwick County Fire Department that pushed for the County Commissioners to pass the illegal fireworks law.
    • Posted By: anoymous: It is a little confusing, because Park City has fireworks tents all over, but I thought Bel Aire and Park City were actually their own "cities", and not part of unincorporated Sedgwick County. And they are allowed in Goddard,I checked out the website. I wish there was a central list posted where they are legal/illegal, because I do think there is confusion about this, especially when I thought I heard people in Bel Aire saying they purchased permits in the past. Can anyone elaborate?
    • Posted By: Debby: If they are illegal why are they sold in the city where they are illegal?
    • Posted By: : Isn't it funny how it's called Independance Day but yet big brother wants to tell us we can't shoot fireworks? Screw you big brother!! I'm firing mine off!!
    • Posted By: Elmer: I saw on the news that you are asking the neighbors to report the people who are using fireworks to the police. Hitler did the same thing when enforcing his laws. Are we coming closer to socialist government, or are you just trying to create a community that is untenable due to loss of trust in neighbors? I can't believe we are repeating history again.
    • Posted By: bob: i think the county is forgetting what we are celebrating, our independence. so they should let us shoot them where you buy them.
    • Posted By: Justin: Land of the Free, My hind end. Restrictions yes, understandable. But, all out ban? This is not the America I fought for!!!!! Maybe before long we won't have any independence to celebrate!!! And I'm sure the fire fighters are just having to do what there told. Heck, most of them love fire or they wouldn't be doing there job.
    • Posted By: : "fire dept only enforces the law" im sure they had a say in how it was created. thats like saying police dont have a quota when writing tickets when im sure they do. how else are police measured when trying for promotions and raises--its by how many tickets they write, how many crimes they solve, ect. people are gonna shoot off fireworks and worry bout what happens later because this is the one time in the year that we get to do so! plus it helps celebrate america's birthday !!
    • Posted By: Mikea: I sure wish there was something we could do about the rednecks who insist on setting off the big heavy skybursts in our neighborhood at 1am every night. Fireworks should be illegal inside the city. Loud car radios are, and fireworks are more dangerous.
    • Posted By: Bob: Ok maybe this is a stupid question, but what is unincorporated Sedgwick County? What is meant by that?
    • Posted By: AJ Simkatu: Everyone knows that fireworks that go up in the sky are illegal, even in the city of Wichita. The problem is that nobody cares. Most people think the ban is a ridiculous overreaction to a small problem. People are sick of the nanny state telling us what we can and can't do with our own lives and property. What's next, ban skydiving, skiing, riding dirt bikes, mountain climbing? The government needs to mind its own business and stay out of ours.
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