KCK officer killed this week was ‘always thinking about other people,’ friend says
Last year, Hunter Simoncic went to the wedding of a fraternity brother where he put his famous line dancing skills to use.
Some of his friends had learned to line dance from Simoncic during their time together at Pittsburg State University, where he was known as “probably the best dancer on campus.”
It was in that college town where, just a few years ago, Simoncic would dye his hair bleach blonde for homecoming, participate in rocking air bands and lead fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics of Southeast Kansas.
Simoncic’s quick wit and selfless nature always came hand-in-hand, a college friend said. Those traits, among others, eventually led him to a career in law enforcement.
“He was always thinking about other people,” said Steve Chastain, Simoncic’s fraternity chapter advisor. “He didn’t care about getting the accolades of, ‘Hey, we raised this much money.’ It was always about what that money could do for people.”
Simoncic was killed in the early morning of Aug. 26, when, just after midnight, a suspect fleeing Kansas City, Kansas, police allegedly intentionally struck him with a stolen vehicle. Simoncic was assisting in the pursuit by deploying stop sticks, police said.
Paramedics took Simoncic to an area hospital where he later died from his injuries.
He was 26 years old.
Dennis Edward Mitchell III, 31, was charged with capital murder, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and two counts of theft in connection with the killing.
The Kansas City, Kansas, community and police force were left devastated. Leaders called for support and prayers for Simoncic’s family and colleagues.
“This was an intentional act of homicide on a police officer,” KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman said at an emotional press conference the day of Simoncic’s death.
Simoncic’s service to community
In the days since, Simoncic’s colleagues and friends have continued to share about his legacy in the Kansas City, Kansas, community and beyond.
Simoncic grew up in the small town of Galesburg, Kansas, about a two-and-a-half hour drive south of KCK. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University.
Before entering the police academy, he was a supervisor at the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
Oakman said he had spent some time with Simoncic’s father, who was proud of him for his work to become an officer.
But his service to the community went beyond his day job — or in Simoncic’s case — overnight shifts at KCKPD.
During the school year, Simoncic participated in a reading program called Lead to Read KC, where mentors are paired with elementary school students as a way to encourage and develop literacy skills.
Simoncic came every Wednesday for 30-45 minutes, said Amirah Pughsley, principal of Banneker Elementary.
“One of the first things (Simoncic) shared was that he stuttered as a child, and that he had to work hard to push past those limitations,” Pughsley said. “He said he signed up so that he could help students who might struggle with confidence or stuttering in the same way.”
“And that’s profound, I don’t think people talk about the hurdles that they have to go through in life, but that’s what drove him to come here,” she said. “I think that speaks volumes to his character, commitment and passion for the community.”
Simoncic connected so deeply with the program that he often talked to his mother Christine Brungardt about it, Oakman told The Star in a phone call.
Oakman, who spent some time with Simoncic’s parents, learned about his stuttering problem and other challenges he faced growing up. Those challenges seemed to fuel a passion inside Simoncic for helping others overcome their shortcomings, Oakman said.
“Growing up with that, I think he really felt the need to serve an underserved portion of our community,” Oakman said.
Pughsley said Simoncic’s presence also helped students see police officers as approachable role models. He was kind, funny and professional with students, she said.
Lead to Read KC’s Executive Director Rhea LeGrande said Simoncic’s leadership in the program will be missed.
“We know the student he mentored will feel his absence deeply, looking for him in the hall for a high five that won’t come,” LeGrande said. “His impact, however, endures in the trust, joy, and sense of possibility he gave through his mentorship.”
Simoncic’s far-reaching impact
Chastain’s phone received a flood of text messages and calls Tuesday from fraternity brothers and friends who heard about Simoncic’s death.
The news was sudden and didn’t feel real to a group of men who spoke to Simoncic on the phone just days before. They had been planning a hunting trip in Texas, Chastain said.
One fraternity brother told Chastain that he immediately texted Simoncic when he heard a KCK officer was hurt.
He said he just needed to know it wasn’t his friend. But his worst fears were true.
“He felt horrible because he knows that his phone is just sitting there, you know, with his message to him, and he’s never going to get that message,” Chastain said.
Chastain said he sent Simoncic’s mother a message, but knows that no words of comfort could ever replace her son.
“(Simoncic) loved his mom so much.. I mean, they were inseparable,” Chastain said.
A candlelight vigil was held in honor of Simoncic Thursday night in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, where hundreds of community members and law enforcement officials shed tears and shared stories about their fallen friend.
Simoncic’s funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 3, at Children’s Mercy Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas, 66109. The service will be open to the public, a KCK police spokesperson said. Parking lots will open at 7:30 a.m. and the stadium will open its doors at 8 a.m.
A law enforcement processional will take place after the service concludes.
The Kansas City, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Four has set up a memorial fund for Simoncic. Donations can be made to KCK FOP Memorial Fund c/o Simoncic Family.
All donations can be dropped off at any Public Safety Credit Union location.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
