City of St. Marys Police and Fire Department

08/29/2026

SMPD, Interim Chief Davis, SGT Wood, Officer Rogers, and Officer Schiavo would like to thank all of the parents and children who attended the Scooter/Bicycle safety class today.
Everyone did an amazing job practicing!

08/24/2026

On August 24, 2026, a house fire was reported in the 100 block of Mission Street.
The fire started in a bedroom closet. Due to the family shutting the doors, the fire was not able to spread further through the home. The family was able to get to safety.
Saint Marys Police Department would like to thank Saint Marys Fire Department, which is a volunteer fire department; their quick response and actions helped stop the fire from spreading further—Belvue Fire, Rossville Fire, Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department, Pottawatomie County EMS, Pottawatomie County Fire Supervisors, the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and the Red Cross.
The fire is being investigated through the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Thank you for everyone's rapid response!
Interim Chief,
Lisa Davis

08/09/2026

Saint Marys Police Department wants to welcome all students back to school next week on August 13th!
Please stay extra alert during school hours. Keep an eye out for school zones and always stop for school buses when those red lights are flashing.
Our second Scooter/Bike safety course will be available on August 29th. 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Please pre-register for the class by emailing [email protected]
Let's have a great school year!

07/30/2026

**Second Class Set for August 29th.**

SMPD is offering a Scooter/bike safety course for juveniles.
Class is on August 15, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Saint Marys Police Department parking lot, 200 S. 7th Street, Saint Marys. Juveniles will need to have their scooters/bikes; there will be an obstacle course for them to complete.
Please register at [email protected]

07/23/2026

Big Boy is rolling through Saint Marys!
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014—the world’s largest operating steam locomotive—is celebrating America's 250th birthday with a historic coast-to-coast tour!
The train is scheduled to depart Topeka heading westbound on Thursday, July 23rd at 12:45 PM. Keep an eye out as this massive piece of railroad history steams along the line through our area!
Track its Live Progress:
Follow the journey in real-time using Union Pacific’s official Steam Tracker:
https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/track
Important Safety Guidelines for Viewers
If you and your family are heading out to watch or photograph the train, please keep these essential safety tips in mind:
Keep Your Distance: Stand back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks. The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet.
Trains Can’t Stop Quickly: A train’s speed and distance can be deceiving. Never cross or stand near the tracks as a train approaches.
No Trespassing: Railroad tracks, trestles, yards, and right-of-ways are private property. Please stay in designated public viewing areas.
Always Expect a Train: Never assume tracks are inactive—always expect a train at any time.
Drone Regulations: Keep drones at least 25 feet away from railroad tracks and adhere to all FAA regulations.
Protect Your Ears: Steam whistles and engines are extremely loud—hearing protection is recommended, especially for young children.
Let’s enjoy this rare piece of history safely!

07/13/2026

City Commission Work Session
7/10/2026

The city commission will have a work session at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 to discuss Riverside Park and the Flats Park. The meeting will begin at City Hall and may move to either or both of the parks.

Carisa L. McMullen, PLA of Landworks Studio will be in attendance at the meeting.

The city commission will have a work session at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 to discuss Riverside Park and the Flats Park. The meeting will begin at City Hall and may move to either or both of...

07/08/2026

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some guidance on how stray dogs are handled in our county. We have a trained animal control officer in place and Pottawatomie County has a contract with Prairie Paws Shelter (formerly T. Russell Reitz Shelter). While our animal control officer does not actively patrol for loose dogs, they will assist with stray or nuisance animal calls, as outlined in Pottawatomie County Resolution 2023-59. In some cases, the shelter may not take a found animal, but we will work with what resources we have to find the best solution. One of our most successful strategies is posting lost or found dogs on Facebook and we thank the public’s help in finding owners quickly once it is posted. Our main goal is finding the missing animal or finding the stray animal's owner.

The primary domestic pet call we receive involves stray or lost dogs. From time to time, we get calls about cats and our options are more limited with cats, but we will do what we can to help.

What to Do If You Find a Stray Dog:

Contact the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch: If you encounter a stray dog, please notify the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353. A Deputy will meet you to determine what we can do to help.

Do not pick up the dog: Pottawatomie County does not have a leash law, and free-roaming dogs (such as working cattle dogs) are common near fields and livestock operations.

Information on the county animal resolution:
https://www.pottcounty.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1437

If you have an animal issue within city limits, you can contact Dispatch at 785-457-3353 and they will have a local Police Officer meet with you.

Thank you for your cooperation and help in keeping our community informed and safe.

07/06/2026

Check out the July city newsletter on our city blog;

The city of St. Marys second quarter (2026) newsletter is linked below, as is a history of the city's armory building.

07/06/2026

A Message of Gratitude and Transition from Chief Derek Cid

After much thought, prayer, and consideration, I am pleased to share that I am returning to Florida law enforcement and will transition from my role as Chief of Police at the Saint Marys Police Department. This move will allow my family and me to return to Florida as we begin our next chapter. My final week serving the Saint Marys community will be July 20, 2026.

To ensure a smooth transition, Captain Lisa Davis will serve as Interim Chief of Police, overseeing departmental operations and administrative responsibilities.

Serving as Chief of Police for the City of Saint Marys has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I want to sincerely thank the many law enforcement professionals, first responders, prosecutors, judges, public officials, community partners, and friends I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my nearly 15 years in Kansas law enforcement.

I am truly grateful for the support, partnerships, and friendships built along the way. The relationships and memories made here are something my family and I will always value and carry with us.
For those who would like to stop by and visit, I will be having a come-and-go farewell reception:

📅 Thursday, July 16, 2026
⏰ 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
📍 Saint Marys City Commission Room

I would truly enjoy the opportunity to visit, share memories, and personally thank those who have been part of this journey.

Thank you again for your friendship, support, and trust. I wish each of you continued success and safety in the years ahead!

Derek Cid
Chief of Police
Saint Marys Police Department

07/04/2026

As we enter festivities this weekend, we wish you and yours a happy and safe 4th of July!