Decatur County Sheriff's Office, KS

05/27/2026

EDIT: The owner was located, and the wandering music box has been returned home. Thank you to whomever called the owner and had him give us a call.

Good afternoon,

Late last night a battery-powered radio (Boom box) was found downtown on Penn Avenue, quietly playing a local radio station...all alone...no one around.

If your radio went on walkabout, and you would like it back, call Decatur County Dispatch at (785) 475-8100 and ask to speak to a deputy. Correctly identify the radio and we can make arrangements to get it back to you.

David Wachendorfer, Sheriff

05/12/2026

Public Service Announcement - Parents of Teen Drivers, please pay attention:

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office has, in recent weeks, observed a multitude of driving violations related to juveniles aged 14 to 16 who are driving automobiles in violation of Kansas State Statutes regarding less-than-full driver's licenses. The rules regarding pre-16 licenses vary depending on the type of restricted permit the juvenile has, and it is the responsibility of the juvenile to know the limits of their permits. The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office greatly prefers education over enforcement, but the apathy regarding juvenile driving needs to be addressed. This post will detail the limits of the different types of restrictions, and it is my hope that you, as parents, will have a conversation with your teenager about staying within the limits of their permit. Sheriff's Deputies are going to start enforcing the permit restriction violations as they find them, so please be proactive and speak to your teens.

Below is a summary of the different types of restrictions on Kansas teenage driver's licenses. This is only a summary of the high points. We will attach links to the actual state statute if you wish to do further research.
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Instruction Permit (Age 14-16)

Driving Privileges
• May operate a passenger vehicle with a supervising driver present.
• May drive at any time when legally supervised.
• Motorcycle instruction permits are also available.

Restrictions
• Permit holder must carry the permit while driving.
• Supervising driver must:
o Be at least 21 years old.
o Hold a valid Class A, B, or C license.
o Have at least one year of driving experience.
o Be seated in the front passenger seat.
• No other person may sit in the front seat.
• No use of cell phones or wireless communication devices except for emergencies.
• Motorcycle permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed motorcycle operator nearby.

Full Statute
• Kansas Statute 8-2,100

https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0100.html
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Restricted Driver’s License (Age 15-16)

Driving Privileges
Drivers with restricted licenses may drive:
• To and from work or farm-related employment.
• To and from school.
• To religious activities.
• Anytime with a qualified adult supervisor in the vehicle.

Additional Privileges at Age 16
For the first six months after turning 16:
• May drive from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
• May drive to school activities, work, and religious activities.
• May drive anytime with a supervising adult.

After six months of compliance:
• Restrictions may be removed.

Restrictions
• Drivers under 16:
o Cannot transport non-sibling minor passengers.

• Drivers age 16:
o Cannot transport more than one non-family passenger under 18 during the restriction period.
• No cell phone use except emergencies.
• Two moving violations can delay eligibility for a full unrestricted license.
• Violations can result in license suspension.

Full Statute
• Kansas Statute 8-2,101

https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0101.html
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Farm Permit (Age 14-16)

Driving Privileges
Farm permit holders may drive:
• To and from farm work.
• For farm-related duties.
• To and from school.
• With a supervising licensed adult.

Additional Privileges at Age 16
For the first six months after turning 16:
• May drive from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
• May drive to work, school activities, and religious services.
• May drive anytime with a supervising adult.

After six months of compliance:
• Restrictions may be removed.

Restrictions
• Must live on or work on a farm.
• Drivers under 16:
o Cannot transport non-sibling minor passengers.
• Drivers age 16:
o Cannot transport more than one non-family passenger under 18 during restriction period.
• No cell phone use except emergencies.
• Multiple traffic violations can delay eligibility for a full unrestricted license.
• Violations can result in suspension.

Full Statute
• Kansas Statute 8-296

https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0096.html
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Violating License Restrictions

Kansas law makes it a misdemeanor offense to violate the restrictions placed on any permit or restricted license.

Possible Penalties
• 30-day suspension for first offense.
• 90-day suspension for second offense.
• One-year suspension for third or subsequent offense.

Full Statute
• Kansas Statute 8-291

https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0091.html
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OF SPECIAL NOTE: A Farm Permit requires the teen to live or work on a farm. There have been cases of families getting "creative" on that point to get a farm permit for a non-qualified teen. If that is the case and it is proven false, it may open the teen or family up to more serious charges for providing false information on an official document. We are not searching for those violations, but the danger is still there, especially if your teen is involved in a traffic collision and their licensing comes under legal or court scrutiny.

These graduated licensing laws are designed to protect young drivers, passengers, and the public. Parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these laws and help ensure their children are driving responsibly and legally.

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on education and community service first and foremost, but enforcement action can be taken at the Law Enforcement Officer's discretion, especially in cases of repeated or dangerous violations.

- David Wachendorfer, Sheriff

04/22/2026

***PRESS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at approximately 8:45pm, Decatur County Emergency Communications received a 911 report of a house fire near US Highway 83 (Buffalo Ave) and Hall St. in the City of Oberlin. Responding units from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Oberlin Fire Department OFD), and Oberlin Department of Public Works arrived in the area and found smoke showing from a single-family residence in the 200 block of S. Buffalo Avenue.

DCSO units were the first to arrive, and attempted entry into the residence to locate the occupant, but the house was charged with smoke. After breaching the front door, the Sheriff and DPW Foreman saw a person lying motionless approximately 6 feet into the house through the smoke. The first responders made entry to the residence and were able to extricate the subject to the front yard, where life-saving measures were begun. The occupant was transported to Decatur Health, where medical treatment was continued.

OFD personnel were able to gain a quick knockdown of the fire within the residence. Due to circumstances of the incident, investigators from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office were requested and responded. US Highway 83 was closed for several hours from Hall Street to Q7 Road while the incident was mitigated. The fire is still under investigation.

The occupant, Randy Allen Spencer, was later flown from Decatur Health to receive advanced medical care in Lincoln, Nebraska. Spencer succumbed to his injuries in Lincoln on April 22, 2026. Family have been notified, and further information on services is not known at this time.

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office would like to acknowledge the hard work and assistance provided by members of the following agencies: Decatur County Fire & Rescue/ Oberlin City Fire Department, Norcatur Fire Department, Jennings Fire Department, Decatur County Emergency Communications, Decatur County EMS Services, Colby Fire Department, City of Oberlin, KS Public Works, Kansas Fire Marshal, and the Kansas Department of Transportation.

David Wachendorfer, Decatur County Sheriff

**--**

04/14/2026

We can't do our jobs without our dispatchers. They are the first, first responders. They are your first contact with public safety when you need help, and are the professionals who get the right help to the right place, time after time.

Happy National Telecommunicators Week to the dispatchers of Decatur County, and all other dispatchers on the job this week.

03/15/2026

03/13/2026

Due to existing fire danger, projected high winds, and the ongoing extreme lack of moisture, effective today at 10:30am, Decatur County Commissioners have placed a burn ban in effect until further notice.

Violating a burn ban is a misdemeanor crime that can result in a citation, fine, and possibly the costs of the firefighting efforts, as well as the risk of escape of the fire and damage to your neighbors’ and your properties.

Be fire aware and fire safe.

Sheriff Wachendorfer

02/13/2026

Good evening, Decatur County:

The next installment of "Meet your Deputies" will introduce you to Deputy Tyler Allen:

Tyler Allen came to Oberlin in June 2023 from the great state of Montana, starting his local career as a police officer with the Oberlin Police Department.

Tyler began his professional career in 2018 working in healthcare, beginning as a civilian employee at a local hospital and working his way up to CNA while working his way through school to become a Registered Nurse. While working as a CNA for a home healthcare agency, Tyler saw an opening for a detention officer for the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office. He had always dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer, so after discussing it with his wife Yasmin, in 2022 he started with the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office in Montana. In April of 2023 Tyler came to Oberlin to meet with the Chief of Police and City Administrator about an open Police Officer position. While visiting our community, Tyler and his wife fell in love with Oberlin. Tyler says that he grew up in a small town in Montana, and Oberlin reminded him of home. Tyler was successful in his quest and become an Oberlin Police Officer in June of 2023.

While working for the Oberlin Police Department, Tyler began working part-time for the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, as they were short-staffed. The Sheriff’s Office felt like a good fit for Tyler, and in June of 2025, he accepted a full-time position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Sheriff’s Office. Tyler attended several advanced training classes, including criminal interdiction, advanced interviewing and interrogation, Taser instructor, DUI investigation and enforcement, and K9 handler training. Tyler is the lead investigator /interviewer for the Sheriff’s Office, and is the handler for the Office’s K9 Cain, achieving a perfect score in his testing at K9 Handler school.

In addition to his work with the Sheriff’s Office, Tyler is currently the Vice-Chairman for the Oberlin-Decatur Economic Development Corporation. Tyler is an avid outdoorsman and can usually be found when off-duty fishing, hunting, or trapping.

Tyler says, “My duties as a Deputy Sheriff are to uphold the Constitution, enforce the laws of the state of Kansas, and enforce the resolutions of Decatur County”.

02/04/2026

MEET YOUR DEPUTIES

Good afternoon, Decatur County...

It was brought to my attention by a local citizen that they didn't know who most of my deputies were. It was suggested that we should introduce ourselves to the community. So, with that in mind, I am going to start a new series of posts here, coming out about once a week, spotlighting a different employee each week. This week's victim (employee) is Jeff Burmaster:

Jeff is a lifelong resident of Decatur County. Jeff attended school here and has raised his family here. Jeff has been involved in coaching Little League baseball, serves on the Board of Directors of the Oberlin/Decatur Economic Development Corp., and has volunteered for numerous local events and activities.

For the last 16 years, Jeff has been a member of the local volunteer fire department and is currently serving as the Oberlin City Assistant Fire Chief. Jeff has been instrumental in maintaining the professionalism and training level for our local firefighters throughout the county.

Since June 2023, Jeff has served the citizens of Decatur County as the county’s Emergency Management Director. This position is responsible for the county’s preparedness and response to emergencies of all levels, from a hazardous materials truck wreck to a natural disaster such as a tornado. This position is shared with Norton County and is jointly funded by both counties. During his time in this position, which is a state-mandated position in every county, Jeff has completed the required coursework to become a state-certified Emergency Manager, which is also required by state statute. This high level of training required many days of travel away from his family to other parts of the state to ensure he had the best training with which to serve the citizens of Decatur County. Under Jeff’s tenure as EM Director, the county’s Emergency Operations Plan (also required by the state) was updated and submitted, and our EOP was approved by the State regulatory agencies for the first time in many years. Prior to Jeff’s efforts, the county was operating without a current state-approved EOP. This required document is extensive and requires renewing every four years. Part of the EM Director’s job is to stay on top of changes to local conditions that affect the EOP and keep our guidelines current.

In the fall of 2025, Jeff further expanded his service to the county’s citizens when he was appointed a part-time Deputy Sheriff with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. Jeff was already assisting the Sheriff’s Office on incidents in his EM position, but being a sworn deputy sheriff greatly streamlines his ability to do both jobs, as some tasks require a law enforcement officer to complete. Jeff attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center’s Part-Time Law Enforcement Academy, and upon his return to Oberlin, successfully completed a Field Training Program and now works as needed as a Deputy Sheriff assisting all public safety agencies in the county.

Jeff has been a tireless volunteer and public servant to the citizens of Decatur County for many years, and we hope to keep him for many years more. As Jeff stated, “Serving the citizens of Decatur County and Norton County has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I take tremendous pride in protecting and preparing our communities, and I look forward to continuing this service for many years to come.”

02/04/2026

01/09/2026

Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day!

We have a very dedicated and well-trained group of officers who are committed to serving our community .

It takes an exceptional person to serve, sacrifice, and commit to all it takes keep our community safe 24/7, 365 days a year.

To all those who protect, patrol, investigate, lead, communicate, and secure -

Thank You💙🚔⭐️