WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — While the Kansas City Chiefs have the majority when it comes to pro football fandom in Kansas, they don’t have a monopoly on support in the Sunflower State. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan is among those whose allegiance isn’t to the closest team. Having worked with the Philadelphia Police Department for 25 years before coming to Wichita, Sullivan is a Philadelphia Eagles fan. With Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter backing the chiefs, the stage was set for a friendly bet between local law enforcement leaders.
The bosses prevailed a 38-35 thriller, overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit. As part of his wager with Sheriff Easter, Chief Sullivan spent 15 minutes on Monday, wearing a chief’s hat and standing on the corner of Central and Main, holding up a sign that read “Chiefs Kingdom.”
It was a gamble Sullivan was confident he would win, especially when the Eagles had a 10-point halftime lead.
“You know, I called and was wondering if I could have one of the K9s brought to my apartment, just to help me get through the moment. It was tough but, in all seriousness, it was a great game,” Sullivan said. “But Patrick (Mahomes) and the Chiefs pulled it off. It was amazing.”
Easter admitted he was nervous when the Chiefs were late.
“I was a bit worried in the first half, it didn’t go well,” he said. “But I just wanted a good game and in the end it was a good game and in the end we won. So, yeah, I was happy that I didn’t have to wave the Eagles sign or wear Eagles headgear or anything like that.
Sullivan and Easter said the competition created a bond between the WPD and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s been a lot of fun, and that’s what you see between these two great law enforcement agencies, nothing but cooperation and a lot of brotherhood and sisterhood, all in the interest of public safety,” Sullivan said.
