Sergeant Kieffer C. Burris

Kieffer C. Burris

Sergeant Kieffer Burris and Patrolman Herbert Bybee drowned while practicing scuba diving at Lake Lotawana for an underwater recovery unit that the department was forming.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., the two were spotted by a resident of the lake area, and everything seemed alright. However, at approximately 5:30 p.m., one of the residents noticed Sergeant Burris floating face down in the water, and Patrolman Bybee's body was recovered a short time later. Patrolman Bybee's tank was empty, but Sergeant Burris' tank still had air pressure, so the exact cause of this incident was unknown.

Sergeant Burres had served with the Kansas City Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.