On June 15th at approximately 6:30 pm Officers with the Fort Scott Police Department observed smoke coming from the area of the playground located near 3rd and Wilson. Officers observed a piece of playground equipment fully engulfed in flames and requested the Fort Scott Fire Department respond to the scene. This incident is being investigated as an arson. There are no suspects currently. The playground equipment is valued at $1000.
Submitted by
Chief Jason Pickert
Fort Scott Police Department
The Fort Scott Police Department was dispatched to Fort Scott Lake on Indian Road on Saturday morning.
“On Saturday, May 11, we had an individual using a fish finder call and say he believed he saw a vehicle underwater with sonar,” Lt. Caleb Bell, with the FSPD said.
The vehicle was located approximately 50 feet south of the dam and 20 feet deep in the water, he said.
“We called the Overland Park Dive Team with the Overland Park Police Department and they came down and dove and advised there was a vehicle,” he said. “There were no people in the vehicle. It was stolen in 2013.”
The vehicle is a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, a Sport Utility Vehicle.
“We’ve made contact with the owners,” Bell said. “They don’t live here anymore. The case of the stolen vehicle was from 2013 and it is an ongoing investigation.”
“We got dispatched at 10:45 a.m. and the investigation was finished by 5:59 p.m.,” he said.
Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the event.
On Monday November 13th at approximately 2:30 pm Officers with the Fort Scott Police Department were dispatched to the VFW located at 1745 South National in Fort Scott, Kansas in reference to a burglary. The burglary occurred sometime between the evening hours on Sunday the 12th and the afternoon of Monday the 13th. Entry into the building was forced through an exterior door. The perpetrator(s) were able to gain access to a safe and removed $604.50. There are currently no suspects. If you have any information, please contact the Fort Scott Police Department.
Fort Scott Police Department
On September 16, 2023 at 1:57 a.m. Fort Scott Police Officers were dispatched to the area of 6th Street and Hwy. 69 for a battery report.
The victim stated she had been physically assaulted by an unknown male.
She was transported to a local emergency room, then transferred to another facility, with injuries that were significant but didn’t appear to be life-threatening.
The suspect has not been identified.
An investigation is continuing.
The public is encouraged to contact law enforcement with information on the incident.
Submitted by
Chief Jason Pickert
Fort Scott Police Department
1604 South National
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
620-223-1700
Today, April 3, 2023 at 11:05 hrs, officers from the Fort Scott Police Department (FSPD) and deputies from the Bourbon County Sheriff’s office (BBSO) responded to a 911 call of a gun shot in the area of the Highland Apartments on Shepherd Street, in Fort Scott.
Due to the close proximity of the incident to Fort Scott Middle School, SRO’s had the middle school placed into lockdown status.
When officers arrived on scene at the apartment complex, they learned information about a firearm being discharged. There were no reported injuries as a result of this incident.
Officers & deputies established a perimeter around the building in question, then went about evacuating that building.
During the initial on-scene investigation, officers were able to determine which residence the alleged shooter resided in. Once this information was established, officers used a PA system to call out to the occupants of the residence, and have them exit.
FSPD officers successfully called out the male resident of 802 Shepherd St, #14, who was taken into custody without incident. This individual was identified as being Brody Johnson, 22.
Mr. Johnson was transported to the Bourbon County Jail where he was booked on the following charges:
Aggravated Assault
Criminal Discharge of Firearm
Mr. Johnson is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. If you have information that you believe will help our investigation, please contact us at: 620-223-1700
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant / Public Information Officer
Fort Scott Police Department
Caleb Bell, 33, was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant in the Fort Scott Police Department on February 28.
“My former job status was a Patrol Sergeant,” Bell said.
Lieutenant position duties consist of directing general operations of the Police Department.
Lieutenants supervise, assign duties, and review work performance of the persons assigned to a specific division. The position requires continuous study of changing criminal and related laws, methods, and procedures related to law enforcement. A Lieutenant may be called upon to command the department, divisions, or units temporarily, or permanently, as department needs arise.
“I have been assigned to command the patrol division and will perform the aforementioned duties regarding patrol,” he said.
Bell has been a law enforcement officer with the Fort Scott Police Department since December 2010.
He enjoys many aspects of this career.
“It has allowed me to positively impact people,” he said. “This career has allowed me to develop lifelong friendships. It has provided me with the opportunity to protect my community and serve those in need. This job is difficult, but it’s worth it.”
Even though he enjoys the job, there are challenges.
” A current challenge we face is finding good, quality candidates to join us in our efforts,” Bell said. “So, if you’re an individual who meets the city’s law enforcement criteria, come see us.”
The Fort Scott Police Department administration promoted Jason Eastwood, 37, on February 28.
His title and duties changed from a Detective Sergeant to an Administrative Lieutenant.
His new duties are directing the general operations of the Fort Scott Police Department.
Lieutenants supervise, assign duties, and review work performance of the persons assigned to a specific division, according to Eastwood The position requires continuous study of changing criminal and related laws, methods, and procedures related to law enforcement. A Lieutenant may be called upon to command the department, divisions, or units temporarily, or permanently, as department needs arise.
“I am tasked with managing all administrative functions of the police department to include Investigations, School Resource Officers, Evidence/Records Officer, Animal Control, among others,” he said..
Eastwood has been with the FSPD for 12 years.
“I enjoy doing my part to make the community safer,” he said. “I also really enjoy working with my fellow members of law enforcement from the Fort Scott Police Department as well as the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.”
He is a lifelong resident of Fort Scott, graduating from the Fort Scott High School in 2004, and has been married to wife, Kimberly for 17 years.
Eastwood has been involved in the community as a volunteer in the Scott Township Fire Department for 18 years.
Eastwood is also a member of the Fort Scott Nazarene Church, where he serves as a board member.
The following is a press release from the Fort Scott Police Department.
On February 16, 2023 at 8:35 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department (FSPD) along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department (FSFD) and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 1214 S Judson St. Upon arrival, heavy black smoke was found to be emitting from inside the residence. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, extensive damage was done to the interior of the home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD & FSFD investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
On February 17, 2023, at 10:10 pm, officers of the Fort Scott Police Department along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department and Bourbon County EMS, responded to a residential fire at 603 W 5th St. Upon arrival, the structure was found to be fully engulfed in flames. FSFD personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however, the structure was a total loss. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. FSPD, FSFD, & BBSO investigators, along with the State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s office were called to investigate this incident. The investigation into this fire is on-going.
If you have any information that can aid our investigators, please contact us at: 620-223-1700.
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant / Public Information Officer
Fort Scott Police Department
1604 S National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
PD: (620) 223-1700
From February 20th through March 3rd, the Fort Scott Police Department will be conducting an enforcement campaign near the high school. We will be joining other law enforcement agencies from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri with increased enforcement near high schools to raise awareness on roadway safety.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States – ahead of all other types of injury, disease or violence. “Even one teen death is unacceptable,” says Chief Travis Shelton. “Please slow down, put the phone away, or turn it off, and always buckle up.”
Officers will issue citations to any individual who refuses to obey traffic laws, whether it’s for speeding, texting, or failing to buckle up. Remind teens that driving is a privilege and encourage them to learn about the importance of driving safely.
February 3, 2023
Yesterday, Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 1:32 am, officers from the Fort Scott Police Department along with personnel from the Fort Scott Fire Department, responded to a house fire in the 900 block of S Osbun, Fort Scott, Kansas.
Due to the suspicious circumstances of the fire, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office was requested to assist with the investigation. This investigation revealed that the fire was started intentionally.
At around 7:30 pm, the FSPD Special Response Team (SRT), executed an arrest warrant on a 20 year old male, identified as Corbin Sheldon, at his residence. Mr. Sheldon was taken into custody without incident. A search warrant was also executed at Mr. Sheldon’s residence. Mr. Sheldon was subsequently booked into the Bourbon County Jail on the charge(s) of:
Mr. Sheldon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Our investigators are continuing to investigate this matter. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact FSPD at, 620-223-1700.
Submitted by
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant / Public Information Officer
Fort Scott Police Department
1604 S National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
PD: (620) 223-1700
O: (620) 223-0550 x304
Fort Scott Police Captain Jason Pickert has been promoted to the Chief of Police, according to a press release from the city manager on Wednesday.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce Jason Pickert as the new Chief of Police for the City of Fort Scott” said Interim Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. “Pickert has been with the Fort Scott Police Department for the last 18 years working side by side, as Police Captain, with retiring Police Chief Travis Shelton for the last four years.”
Pickert started his career with the Fort Scott Police Department in 2004 after graduating from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in 2005, according to a press release from Matkin.
He was a patrol office from 2004 to 2006 before taking the role of detective in the fall of 2006, serving in that role for two years.
Pickert was then promoted to Detective Sergeant in March of 2008 and served in this role for over ten years before being promoted to Captain in December of 2018.
Among the many other certificates and continued education classes, Pickert graduated with a Certified Public Manager certificate in 2017 from the University of Kansas.
“We had some very good candidates, and I was very impressed with each of the candidates we interviewed,” Matkin said. “The interview panel and I feel Jason Pickert is the one that stood out among the rest and will do a great job.”
“Pickert is a strong leader, decision maker, and a valuable resource,” Matkin said. “I look forward to working more closely with Jason and am excited to see what the future holds for the staff and the department.”
Pickert will take over the Chief of Police role on March 1st, 2023.
Current Fort Scott Chief of Police Travis Shelton will be retiring at the end of February.
On Saturday, 9/24/22, at around 4:23 am, Fort Scott Police, along with EMS personnel, responded to an address in the 400 Blk of Andrick, for a report of an adult male that had been discovered laying in the grass with multiple injuries. The victim has been positively identified as being Kenneth Bevins, 39, of Fort Scott. Bevins was transported by EMS personnel to a hospital in Kansas City.
As of October 10, 2022, four (4) subjects have been taken into custody. Michael Sheriff, (23) of Fort Scott, and Tavin Eisenbrandt (20) of Fort Scott are currently being held at the Bourbon County Jail. Two (2) juveniles are also being held in custody for the following offenses:
1) Attempted Murder 1st Degree
2) Aggravated Robbery
On October 18, 2022, FSPD investigators applied for and received an arrest warrant for a 5th subject in connection with this case. That subject, is Cody Tindill (23) of Fort Scott. Tindill was subsequently located and arrested out of state.
Yesterday, November 2, 2022, Mr Tindill was extradited back to Fort Scott by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s office where he was booked into the Bourbon County Jail. Tindill was booked for the following offenses:
1) Attempted Murder 1st Degree
2) Aggravated Robbery
All persons are presumed innocent until found otherwise in a court of law.
The victim, Mr. Bevins, remains in critical condition.
Submitted by:
Fort Scott Police Department Public Information Team
Bill Downey Jr, Administrative Sergeant
