08/05/2026
Highlighted Employee of the Month - Detective Pearson Schrag
Scam phone calls, bogus emails, and financial fraud continue to rise across the country.
In the past eight months alone, more than $10 million in fraud and theft cases have been reported to and investigated by the Hutchinson Police Department.
In two recent local business email scam cases totaling $1,370,000, the actual loss was $0 thanks to the hard work of HPD Detective Pearson Schrag, who was able to locate, freeze, and recover the funds.
Detective Schrag was recently recognized as one of only 50 investigators nominated for Officer of the Year by the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators. With more than 10,000 financial crimes investigators in over 100 countries, this nomination is a significant honor. Detective Schrag was nominated from among officers across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.
“His work, professionalism, and commitment to financial crimes investigation has been exceptional,” Chief Brice Burlie said. “These scams often target the elderly and others who have good intentions but fall victim to convincing deceptions and lies.”
Detective Schrag has helped recover losses ranging from $50 to $1 million over the last eight months. However, many scams originate outside the United States, making them extremely difficult to trace.
Chief Burlie also credited Officer Stephen Jackson for his tireless work pursuing financial crimes before transferring back to patrol duties.
“These crimes are often heartbreaking because many victims cannot afford the loss and are devastated by it,” Chief Burlie said. “While law enforcement may not be able to solve every case, people should continue to report fraud and scams. We are having success, and our department remains committed to doing as much as possible to protect and alert our citizens.”
Please remember:
• Be cautious of offers that sound too good to be true.
• Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone or by email unless you are certain who you are dealing with.
• Verify payment requests, especially wire transfers or gift card requests.
• Talk with elderly family members and friends about common scams.
• Report suspicious activity or financial fraud to law enforcement.
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or financial crime, contact the Hutchinson Police Department.
