Independence Kansas Police Department

08/21/2026

UPDATE 8/21/26: Daniel has been located and is safe.

MISSING PERSON:
Daniel James Hillyard
Missing From: Independence, Kansas

Height: 6’0” Weight: 115 lbs
Race/Sex: White Male
Hair: brown Eyes: brown

**UPDATE 6/23/26: A confirmed contact occurred on May 8th, 2026. During that contact, he was assisted in getting to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Since then, there has been no verified contact, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

If you have seen him, spoken with him, or have any information about where he may be, please contact us or your local law enforcement agency. **

Daniel James Hillyard has been reported missing and has not been heard from or seen by family or friends in several weeks. His clothing description and last known location are unknown however, he may have been last seen on CR 3900, approximately six miles south of Independence.

If you see Daniel or have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact local law enforcement, or IPD at 620-332-1700.

08/20/2026

BEFORE HE WAS MISSING, HE WAS DETRECK.

For six years, Detreck Foster's name has been connected to one word: missing.

But that is not who Detreck was.

Detreck was a father who loved his children deeply. He was there when they were born, involved in their everyday lives, and proud of the smart young people they were becoming.

He loved to cook and enjoyed trying foods from different cultures. He loved to travel. His work took him from the East Coast to the West Coast, and summertime brought adventures like whitewater rafting and hiking in the woods.

He loved animals.

He loved giving his sisters a hard time.

He enjoyed sitting around with his friends, talking, laughing and spending time together. He was friendly with the people he met, and older adults often remarked on how mannerly and respectful he was.

Faith was also important to Detreck. He would attend church with his family when he came home. He would wake up early and listen to church services on YouTube, then call his mom to tell her about the message he'd heard that day.

One of his favorite songs was "Intentional."

Detreck had interests.
He had faith.
He had friends.
He had sisters to aggravate.
He had places he wanted to see.
And most importantly, he had children he loved and a family who loved him.

In April of 2020, Detreck disappeared.

Six years later, we are still looking for answers.

As we continue telling Detreck's story, we want our community to remember the person behind the investigation.

Before he was missing, he was Detreck.

And his story matters.

08/13/2026

Independence Police Department Phone Upgrade

The Independence Police Department will be completing a phone system upgrade beginning at 10:00 AM today.

During this time, our main non-emergency number, 620-322-1700, may be temporarily unavailable or may experience interruptions.

If you are unable to reach us at 620-332-1700, use an alternate non-emergency contact number:

📞620-205-9000
🚨 If you have an emergency, please continue to call 911.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we complete this upgrade.

Send a message to learn more

08/05/2026

The sirens were malfunctioning. There is no emergency. We apologize for the inconvenience.

08/03/2026

The Independence Police Department has received several complaints regarding vehicles speeding on South 10th Street as they enter the city.

Please remember that the speed limit drops to 30 MPH before you reach the city limits. We've recently had officers monitoring this area and have observed a significant number of drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.

Please watch for the posted speed limit signs, slow down before entering the city, and help us make our streets safer for everyone.

08/03/2026

We extend our thanks to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and all assisting agencies for their teamwork and dedication! When we work together, we make our community a safer place for everyone.

07/27/2026

Working together keeps our community safe. Thank you to our partner agencies for their assistance in this successful arrest.

07/09/2026

🚗 Help Keep Our Kids Safe – Please Park in Designated Areas ⚾

As our ball fields continue to stay busy, we're asking everyone to please park only in designated parking areas and avoid parking along Park Blvd., in No Parking zones, or on the grass.

Convenient parking is available at:
✅ Four-Plex Parking Lot
✅ East Parking Lot
✅ West (Soccer) Parking Lot
✅ Sycamore Street Parking
✅ Dog Park Parking Lot

These parking restrictions are in place to help keep crosswalks visible, maintain access for emergency vehicles, and provide a safer environment for our athletes, families, and visitors.

To help keep everyone safe, the Independence Police Department will be enforcing parking regulations in these areas, including issuing citations for vehicles parked in No Parking zones.

Thank you for helping us protect our kids and making our sports complex a safe place for everyone to enjoy!