WASHINGTON—Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) spoke yesterday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the life and service of Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Kunze III who was killed while on duty on Sept. 16, 2018. Following his remarks, Rep. Estes asked colleagues to join in a moment of silence in honor of Deputy Kunze.
“By killing the suspect, Deputy Kunze ended a violent crime spree and gave up his life to save others,” said Rep. Estes. “Today, we continue to pray for Deputy Kunze’s family, as well as Sheriff Jeff Easter and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.”
Watch the remarks here.
Full transcript:
Mr. Speaker,
I rise to honor the life and service of Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Kunze III.
On September 16, Deputy Kunze responded to a suspicious character call in a rural area of Sedgwick County. When he arrived, the suspect opened fire and Deputy Kunze was shot in the neck.
The suspect could have fled or killed two witnesses standing close by. But in one final heroic act, before collapsing Deputy Kunze returned fire, killing the suspect on the spot.
The suspect was a convicted felon who had stolen two vehicles and the weapon he was carrying. By killing the suspect, Deputy Kunze ended a violent crime spree and gave up his life to save others.
Described as a jokester with a contagious laugh, Deputy Kunze leaves behind his wife Kathleen and their young daughter Alyssa. At his funeral on Friday, Alyssa addressed the crowd with words that rang across Kansas, saying: “My dad was a hero… He protected everyone.”
Today, we continue to pray for Deputy Kunze’s family, as well as Sheriff Jeff Easter and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. At this time, I ask our colleagues to join in a moment of silence to honor Deputy Robert Kunze.
Thank you and I yield back.
Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.
