Published on April 24, 2026
Welcome to the April edition of The City Beat. We have some incredible stories for you about your police department. First, I need to start with the sad news of the passing of one of your officers, Officer Zachary Garcia-Kerns.
Officer Garcia-Kerns was appointed to the Lawrence Police Department in November 2023 after serving with the University of Kansas Police Department. Officer Garcia-Kerns was a steady performing officer who loved being a police officer. He was 28 years old at the time of his death. As a final act of service, his gift of life donation will save the lives of as many as 75 others. I want to personally thank all the members of our community who supported us during this difficult time.
We have a true crime thriller for you that occurred right here in Lawrence. A member of our community was the victim of an online scam, and it is a true cautionary tale for all of us. Just remember, if you are ever asked to do something unusual with your money, call us first.
You may see an unusual police vehicle on our streets. The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer is the first all-electric vehicle in our patrol fleet. It joins the Mustang Mach E that is being tested as a detective vehicle. Electric vehicles provide some significant benefits to your police department, especially when gas prices go up.
Who is ready for some football? No, not the Patrick Mahomes kind of football but the kind that is actually played with your feet. Your police department is ready to welcome the World Cup to Lawrence along with our base camp team, Algeria. You can read about all the preparations that are going into this important sporting event.