Augusta Department of Public Safety History

Some of the information contained herein contains excerpts from “Augusta Kansas 1868-1990,” authored by Augusta native Burl Allison, Jr. and from the Augusta Daily Gazette.  Mr. Allison and previous Editor Carter Zerbe allowed us to use the information from these sources in this project.

Public Safety Department Timeline

December 15, 2021 - The City of Augusta announced the hiring of Todd Ackerman as the new Director of Public Safety.

April 2, 2018
- The City of Augusta announced the appointment of Robert S. Sage as the new Director of Public Safety. The Butler County Times-Gazette posted this story: 
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/news/20180316/city-of-augusta-names-new-director-of-public-safety

January 10, 2017 - A new Spartan Tanker was delivered to the department for Butler County Fire District #2.  The tanker, dubbed Pumper 2, replaced the former Pumper 7, which was a 1981 model truck.

April 4, 2016 - Bob Sage, a former Augusta Department of Public Safety Sergeant who had left to be the Chief in Rose Hill, returned to his roots.  Bob was originally hired as a dispatcher in October of 1987.  Bob returned as the investigations Sergeant.

July 2, 2014 - Public Safety Officer Derek Highbarger was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Sergeant Highbarger was assigned to supervise one of the four patrol crews.

June 13, 2014 - Augusta Public Safety Officers investigated the death of two local men.  The deaths were reported as not suspicious. The Butler County Times-Gazette posted this story: 
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20140613/NEWS/140619563

February 17, 2014 - Augusta Public Safety Communications Specialist Marcus Windholz was recognized at the Augusta City Council Meeting for his handling of a murder-suicide call on February 6th.  The Butler County Times-Gazette posted this story: 
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20140220/NEWS/140229936.

February 6, 2014 - Augusta Public Safety Officers responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of Helen.  Officers found a male and a female deceased inside the residence from an apparent murder-suicide.  The Butler County Times-Gazette posted this story: 
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20140207/NEWS/140209461

January 29, 2014 - The Elk River Wind Farm presented a check for $2,500 to the Augusta Department of Public Safety in gratitude for the assistance of police canine "Rico" in capturing a suspect who had stolen thousands of dollars in material from the wind farm in October of 2013.  The Butler County Times-Gazette posted this story: 
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20140128/NEWS/140129325

January 18, 2014 - Augusta Public Safety Officers seized approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamines during a traffic stop.  Police canine "Rico" assisted on the seizure.   The Butler County Times-Gazette posted this story: 
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20140121/NEWS/140129909

January 18, 2014 - Volunteer Firefighter Craig Brown was awarded the 2014 Volunteer of the Year award.  Also, Volunteer Firefighter Kip Richardson and Les Johnston were awarded 15-year awards and Volunteer Firefighter James Frame was recognized for 10-years of service.

December 3, 2013 - The third and final suspect in a federal drug and gun possession case has pleaded guilty to her role in the crimes.  Shannon Pickett, 35, and Dustin Blackston, 25, both pleaded guilty to charges last month.  Rachel Aguirre pleaded guilty recently to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances.  These charges were the result of an investigation by Augusta Public Safety Officers conducted in December of 2012.
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20131107/NEWS/131109554

November 4, 2013 - Captain Bruce Relph, Sergeant Chad McCluskey and Public Safety Officer Derek Highbarger were awarded the Life Saving award for their efforts and response to a call of a subject in cardiac arrest on October 30, 2013.
http://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/article/20131107/NEWS/131109554

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