Sedan police chief, officer submit resignations; council schedules special public meeting

The Sedan City Council accepted the resignation of Police Chief Kirk Richardson, whose retirement is effective March 31, 2026, and the resignation of Police Officer Devin Lumley, effective March 15, 2026. Both resignations were read aloud to the council during its regular meeting on March 3, and each was accepted by unanimous vote.

Chief Richardson read his retirement notice to the council. Mayor Kathy Miller thanked Chief Richardson for his years of service. On a motion by Adam Clark, seconded by Crystal Wade, the council voted 3–0 to accept the chief’s resignation. Officer Devin Lumley read his resignation and the council accepted it on a motion from Adam Clark, seconded by Crystal Wade; that motion also carried 3–0.

Council members discussed the immediate implications for the Police Department and entered multiple executive sessions that cited K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) to address terms and conditions of employment for nonelected personnel; the public minutes record that no decisions were made in those closed sessions. Council member Crystal Wade asked that the next discussion be held in a public forum to allow community input.

The council decided to hold a special public meeting at 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, in the county commissioners’ room on the courthouse second floor to discuss plans for the Police Department and gather public comments. The meeting notice in the transcript indicates the council intends to use the forum to determine next steps; no hiring decisions were recorded on March 3.