A lawsuit in Kansas federal court could test the limits of a police department’s ability to seize property after someone’s death. Ebony Shaffer filed a lawsuit against the city of Leavenworth and its police department. She cites a lack of communication with her family after police took guns, cash, knives and medicine from the home of her father Willie Gillom Jr. the day of her death in December 2020. Gillam was 74 years old . they’ve had a loved one die, and they don’t know what’s in the house and the police are just checking their house and doing some sort of ‘keeper seekers, cry losers?’” Shaffer said. Shaffer said the process of retrieving the guns and other items taken from her home has caused her emotional distress and a struggle to find answers. Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said he could not comment on cases that have ongoing litigation. But he said the department generally keeps all evidence in any investigation until it’s concluded. A department policy outlines procedures for evidence control and chain of custody. But she Shaffer said she’s still curious about what the investigation into her father’s death entails and why the police had to take something from her home. her father’s death was later “under investigation”. In her lawsuit, Shaffer said no autopsy was performed and her death certificate ultimately stated that she died of natural causes. Shaffer said she has not yet seen an inventory list of what police seized from her father’s home. She also said she learned from a sign in the window of police headquarters of a policy that allows Leavenworth police to keep property unless a request is made within 30 days. A city ordinance on abandoned properties confirms the procedure. Shaffer wonders how many more people have lost items if they weren’t aware of the seized items. She repossessed the property nearly four months later. But she still has questions. Shaffer’s attorney Chris Barnds said Leavenworth Police must bear responsibility for failing to provide timely responses. Barnds said. Barnds said they are still in the process of uncovering the litigation, hoping eventually to find more information from the Leavenworth police about the death investigation. “I think everyone deserves to have certain questions answered,” he said. Shaffer, meanwhile, hasn’t quite had time to grieve the death of her father as what happened after her death weighs heavily on his mind and heart. “The police are there to protect and to serve,” Shaffer said. “That’s not at all what they did for me or my father.” If you have been in a similar situation with the police or any other law enforcement agency, please email [email protected] with your suggestion and we may look into the case.
A lawsuit in Kansas federal court could test the limits of a police department’s ability to seize property after someone’s death.
Ebony Shaffer filed a lawsuit against the city of Leavenworth and its police department.
He cites a lack of communication with his family after police took guns, money, knives and medicine from his father Willie Gillom Jr.’s home the day he died in December of 2020.
Gillam was 74 years old.
“How many other people have had the death of a loved one, and they don’t know what’s in the house and the police are just checking their house and doing sort of ‘keeper seekers, cry losers?'” Shaffer said.
Shaffer said the process of retrieving the guns and other items taken from her home caused her emotional anguish and a struggle to find answers.
Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said he could not comment on cases with ongoing litigation. But he said the department generally keeps all evidence in any investigation until it’s concluded.
A department policy outlines procedures for evidence control and chain of custody. But Shaffer said she’s still curious about what the investigation into her father’s death entails and why the police had to take something from her home.
Shaffer said police discouraged her from filing a report on the missing items saying she first learned just weeks after her father’s death was “under investigation.”
In the lawsuit, Shaffer said no autopsy was performed and his death certificate ultimately stated he died of natural causes.
Shaffer said he has yet to see an inventory of what police seized from his father’s home.
He also said he learned from a sign in the window of police headquarters of a policy that allows Leavenworth police to keep property unless a request is made within 30 days.
A municipal ordinance on abandoned property confirms the procedure.
Shaffer wonders how many more people have lost property if they didn’t know about the seized items.
He repossessed the property nearly four months later. But she still has questions.
Shaffer’s attorney Chris Barnds said Leavenworth Police must bear responsibility for failing to provide timely responses.
“I feel that if more information could have been given to Ms. Shaffer, a lot of it could have been avoided,” Barnds said.
Barnds said they are still in the process of uncovering the litigation, hoping eventually to find more information from the Leavenworth police about the death investigation.
“I think everyone deserves to have certain questions answered,” he said.
Shaffer, meanwhile, hasn’t quite had time to grieve his father’s death as what happened after his death weighs heavily on his mind and heart.
“The police are there to protect and to serve,” Shaffer said. “That’s not at all what they did for me or my father.”
If you have been in a similar situation with the police or any other law enforcement agency, please email [email protected] with your suggestion and we may look into the case.
