Fallen Hays police officer to return home with dignified transfer; funeral set for Friday

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Fallen Hays Police Department Sergeant Scott Heimann will return home to Hays on Tuesday. He died early Sunday morning at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center after he was shot responding to a domestic violence incident in Hays.

Heimann was honored with a dignitary transfer and escort from Wichita, and the Wichita Police Department invited its members to show their support for the Hays police officer, his family, and the department.

Firefighters from the Wichita area lined the route to pay their respects.

“It’s just nice to be able to give respect for this gentleman who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, so we do thank him and his family,” firefighter Mike Burke said. “Law enforcement, you know, they’re trying to do the thing that’s right for all citizens, and then, they’re impacted like this.”

The procession started at noon from English to Washington Street and traveled north to Central. The escort turned east on Central and went to Interstate 135. Then, it traveled north on I-135 to Salina and headed west on I-70 to Hays.

The escort will enter Hays at the U.S. 183 bypass exit and head south. The procession will turn east on 27th Street. The procession will continue south on Hall Street, east on 13th Street, north on Vine Street, and then turn west on 20th Street to conclude at Hays Memorial Chapel, located at 1906 Pine Street.

On Friday, a burial mass will be held at Gross Memorial Coliseum at 10:30 a.m.with Rev. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the church.