Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Sedgwick County investigators said it appears the shooting death of a deputy was an ambush. Sedgwick County authorities today identified the man who shot and killed a deputy as Richard Lyons, 27.

Sheriff Bob Hinshaw said Lyons was hiding in the backyard of a home at 3636 S. Rock Road yesterday and shot deputy Brian Etheridge in the back with a rifle. Hinshaw said Lyons then walked up, his rifle malfunctioned, and he grabbed the deputy's handgun and shot Etheridge a second time.

Sheriff Hinshaw said he can not find evidence of any previous problems between Lyons and Deputy Etheridge. Investigators are back at the scene today.

Lyons was shot and killed following a brief chase Monday. Hinshaw said Lyons was shot multiple times after being chased by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Kansas Highway Patrol troopers. Lyons was released from prison in 2008 after serving his sentence for aggravated assault.

Sheriff Hinshaw said the preliminary investigation shows Deputy Etheridge did everything he was trained to do.

Sedgwick County Commissioners said flags will fly at half staff in honor of the deputy killed in the line of duty Monday.

Sheriff Bob Hinshaw said the deputy was responding to a larceny call when he was shot at 11:51 a.m..

Etheridge leaves behind a wife and young child.

Sheriff Hinshaw said Etheridge's time with Sedgwick County was his first law enforcement job. He has been on the force for one year and two months. Etheridge graduated from Derby High School and Wichita State University.

He is the first Sedgwick County Sheriff's officer killed since Sgt. Kenneth Snider was killed in 1997.

Dep. Etheridge will be laid to rest Friday. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peters Church, 11000 Southwest Boulevard, in Schulte. Interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery, 11800 W. Kellogg, immediately following the service.

A rosary and vigil will be held Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peters.

A memorial fund has been established. Donations can be made at any Intrust Bank location to the Brian S. Etheridge Memorial Fund.