City of Washington - Information and news updates from the City of Washington, Missouri government.

Honoring Our Fallen | National Police Week: May 10th–16th, 2026

During the week of May 10th-16th, we solemnly honor the law enforcement officers who, through acts of courage and selflessness, have lost their lives or sustained disabling injuries in the line of duty. Their sacrifice in the service of our communities will never be forgotten.

“We believe it’s important to honor the memory of these officers,” said Chief Jim Armstrong. “Each time we pin on the badge, we strive to reflect their service and dedication to public safety. We also stand with the families left behind, whose strength deserves our lasting support and gratitude.”
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State of Missouri Ceremony

Since 1863, 754 Missouri law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, two officers were added to the Wall of Honor at the State Capitol.

A candlelight vigil was held at the memorial on the grounds of the State Capital on May 1st with a ceremony on May 2nd.
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Local Ceremony – City of Washington Police Department

The Washington Police Department invites the community to join us for our annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day Ceremony:

Friday, May 15, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Washington Public Safety Building
301 Jefferson Street, Washington, MO

Remarks will be given by Captain Darryl Balleydier, Assistant Chief of Police, and City Councilman/Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Patke. Please join us as we remember those who served with pride, honor, and integrity.
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National Ceremony
Since 1786, 24,775 law enforcement officers across the nation have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, 363 officers will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.:

🔹 109 officers who died in the line of duty in 2025
🔹 254 officers from prior years whose service was recently discovered

Their names will be formally honored during the 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil which is being held at the United States Capital on May 13th at 6:00 P.M. The vigil will be livestreamed on the following platforms:

YouTube: YouTube.com/NLEOMF
Facebook: Facebook.com/NLEOMF
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/company/national-law-enforcement-officers-memorial-fund
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Contact:
S.R.O. Greg Garrett #263
636-231-2200
ggarrett@washmo.gov
Washington Police Department

#WashMO #NationalPoliceWeek #HonorTheFallen #MissouriLawEnforcement

Day Shift Summary 05/10/26

A found property report was taken in the 800 block of W. Front St.

A stealing was reported in the 700 block of Fremont St.

Custody questions WPD

Assisted EMS in the area of Lions Lake

Assisted the fire department in the 1700 block of Madison Ave.

A suspicious vehicle was reported in the area of 8th St. and Locust St.

Assisted EMS in the area of High and Circle

A suspicious vehicle was reported in the 1200 block of Jefferson

Officers responded to the 1300 block of Jefferson for a subject who was in crisis.

Officers responded to the area 5th and MacArthur for a report of a vehicle accident where a subject was arrested for no valid license and no insurance.

A check the wellbeing was conducted in the Phoenix Center 2 shopping center.

A found property report was taken in the the Phoenix Center 2 shopping center.

Assisted EMS 800 block of MacArthur.

All subjects arrested are innocent until proven guilty.

Day Shift Summary. 05/09/26

Officers responded to a report of a leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the 800 block of E. 5th St.

A parking violation was reported in the 1700 block of A Roy Dr.

Officers responded to the area of Lions Lake for a report of a subject sleeping on a bench.

A peace disturbance was reported in the Washington Crossing Shopping Center.

Officers responded to the 800 block of Hill St. for a peace disturbance.

Officers assisted EMS in the 100 block of Dawn Dr.

Officers responded to the police department to answer questions in reference to custody issues and court orders.

A motor vehicle accident was investigated on Highway 100 and High St.

A check the wellbeing was conducted in the 100 block of W. Main St.

Officers responded to the Heritage Hills area for a report of illegal dumping.

A check the wellbeing was conducted in the area of Hwy 100 and A Roy Dr.

A check the wellbeing was requested in the 500 block of W. 9th St.

A check the wellbeing was requested in the Phoenix Center 2 shopping center.

A peace disturbance was reported and investigated in the area of W. 5th and Elm St.

🚨 FRIDAY FRAUD FACTS 🚨

Don’t Take the Bait — Phishing Scams Are Everywhere!

Phishing scams are one of the MOST common scams reported today, and scammers are getting more convincing every day. Their goal? To steal your personal information, banking details, passwords, or money by pretending to be someone you trust.

These scams often come through:
📱 Text messages
📧 Emails
📞 Phone calls
💻 Fake websites

Scammers use fear, urgency, curiosity, and excitement to pressure victims into acting quickly before they have time to think.

💰 In 2025 alone, more than 52 MILLION dollars were stolen through phishing scams.

🔎 REAL CASE INVESTIGATED BY WASHINGTON PD:

A Washington-area victim received a text message claiming to be from their bank’s fraud department asking if they made an out-of-state purchase. After replying “no,” the victim received a phone call from someone pretending to work for the bank.

The scammer already had the victim’s debit card PIN, making the call seem legitimate. The victim was instructed to hand their debit card to a “courier” who came directly to their home, believing a replacement card would soon arrive.

Shortly after, the victim’s card was used at an ATM in Union, MO, and $1,500 was stolen from their account.

Investigators later identified the suspects, who had traveled from Florida to Missouri specifically to scam and steal from victims.

⚠️ REMEMBER:
• Your bank will NEVER send someone to your house to collect your debit card.
• Never share personal or banking information through text or phone calls you did not initiate.
• If you receive a suspicious message, contact your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.

If something feels off — trust your instincts and verify before you act.

Why We Serve

Name: Mrs. Kara Durbin

Where are you from and where did you go to high school? I’m from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Later on in life, I moved to the Warrenton, Missouri area and graduated from Warrenton High School in 2013.

When did you join Washington PD and why? 2024. Before that, I was cleaning City Hall and several other buildings for a living. While working there, I had often thought about how much I would enjoy having a clerical position with the city. A kind member of City Hall saw some potential in me and encouraged me to consider working for the city, and I was excited for the opportunity to become part of a group of people dedicated to keeping the community running smoothly.

I chose Washington because it was already the community I called home, and I wanted to be more actively involved in serving it. Having lived in and around Washington for several years, I had come to admire the care and pride that goes into every aspect of daily life here.

My grandfather was a retired police chief, and growing up I spent years watching police programs and listening to his stories from his time in law enforcement. Even with that influence, I never imagined I would one day work in a police department myself. Over the past two years, I’ve taken pride in doing my small part to help keep the department running and being part of a team of dedicated public servants.

What is your job assignment? I’m a civilian employee and I work in the front office of the police department as an office assistant. My job involves answering phones, preparing and delivering police reports, distributing and documenting UTV permits, filing, and assisting officers and command staff with various projects as needed.

What’s one thing you wish the public knew or understood about law enforcement and one thing you didn’t know until after you started? I wish the general public really knew how much our officers care about the safety and well-being of the citizens of this town, and how much patience, composure, and quick thinking go into every day on the job.

I didn’t realize how much paperwork was involved in this profession. Assisting citizens is a huge part of my work here, but documentation and paperwork make up the largest portion of it. I couldn’t be prouder to be a paper pusher for the Washington Police Department.

What do you enjoy outside of work? Outside of work I enjoy reading, watching television and movies, and I have an interest in photography and a love for music.

Are you married? Kids? I’m married to a Deputy Sheriff at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. No, we don’t have any kids yet.

Pets? our dog, a Mini Pinscher/Chihuahua mix named Prince.

Why We Serve

Name: P.O. Zach Ashby #289

Where are you from and where did you go to high school? I grew up in the STL metro & Woodland, Illinois areas. I graduated from Woodlawn High School in 2017.

What did you do prior to getting into law enforcement? I was a logistics fleet manager.

Did you serve in the military prior to getting into law enforcement? Yes, I served in the United States Air Force and I’m currently in the Air Force Reserves. I’ve deployed twice to the Middle East.

What training academy did you go to and do you have prior public safety experience? I attended the Eastern Missouri Police Academy in graduated in 2024.

When did you join Washington PD and why? 2024. I chose Washington PD because of its reputation for professionalism and community involvement.

From what I’ve seen and learned, the department emphasizes both officer development and building trust with the community, which is important to me. I’m looking for a department where I can grow long-term, be held to a high standard, and contribute in a meaningful way, and WPD stood out as a place that aligns with those goals.

What is your current role within the department and do you have any specialized trainings or assignments? I’m currently assigned to our Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer. Currently, I don't have any specialized trainings or assignments.

Why did you choose law enforcement as a career? I chose law enforcement because I want a job that’s active, meaningful, and different every day. I like the idea of being out in the community, handling real situations, and helping people when it actually matters. I also want a career that challenges me and gives me a sense of purpose.

What’s one thing you wish the public knew or understood about law enforcement and one thing you didn’t know until after you started? I wish the public understood that officers genuinely care about the communities they serve and take their responsibility seriously. The job involves far more than enforcement, it includes problem-solving, de-escalation, and helping people during some of the worst moments of their lives.

One of the things I didn't know about prior to becoming a Police Officer was how mentally and emotionally demanding the job can be. It’s not just the major incidents, but the accumulation of smaller, stressful situations that require resilience and strong coping skills.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy attending live music events and baseball games

Are you married? Any kids? I’ve been married for several years and we have our first child on the way.

Pets? One dog, Bella June, a Wirehaired Viszla

Day Shift Summary 05/06/2026

Assisted FCSO in checking the well being of a subject on Westlink Drive. Subject was located and was fine.

Stealing reported in the 1400 block of East 5th Street.

Assisted EMS on Marbach Drive.

Subject was stopped in the area of Highway 47 and Washington Crossing for a traffic violation. Subject was found to have an outstanding warrant and was arrested.

Non-injury traffic crash on Vossbrink Drive at Advantha Drive.

Fraud reported on Marquart Drive.

Assisted EMS in the 700 block of Fremont Street.

Why We Serve

Name: P.O. Noah Quaethem #290

Where are you from and where did you go to high school? I’m from Washington and graduated from Washington High School

Were you in the military? What branch and what was your assignment? I currently serve in the Missouri National Guard as a Military Police Officer.

What did you do prior to getting into law enforcement and do you have any prior public safety experience? Prior to law enforcement, I worked in construction. Outside of being a Military Police Officer, I had no other experience prior to becoming a civilian Police Officer

What academy did you go to? I attended the Eastern Missouri Police Academy in 2024

When did you join Washington PD and why? 2024. I joined Washington PD because it's my home. I grew up here and wanted to give back to the community that I love.

What is your current role within the department and do you have any specialized trainings or assignments? I’m currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer. No, I don’t have any specialized trainings or assignments yet.

Why did you choose law enforcement as a career? The career field is always something I’ve been drawn to. I joined to help people in ways you can’t in other jobs.

What’s one thing you wish the public knew or understood about law enforcement and one thing you didn’t know until after you started? I wish the public better understood that not every problem can be resolved quickly or overnight, and that some investigations naturally take longer depending on the circumstances. There are many factors that affect timelines, including whether witnesses or suspects can be identified and located, the level of cooperation from those involved, and the realities of ongoing workload and call volume. While there is always a strong desire for quick resolution, the truth is that some cases require time and patience while we work through things to the best of our ability.

The one thing I learned after getting into law enforcement is how much paperwork law enforcement really has to contend with. Incident reports, documentation/informational reports, Crash reports, and supplemental reports on top numerous forms that get added to reports.

What do you enjoy outside of work? I enjoy hiking, shooting sports, and playing video games

Are you married? Kids? I’m married to my beautiful wife, Lilly, and we have one awesome daughter.

Pets? We have a menace of a dog, Juniper.

Night Shift Summary. Date:05-05-2026

A male subject was arrested for driving while revoked.

A female subject was arrested for disorderly conduct in the area of Washington Crossing.

Arrests do not imply guilt.

📣 Upcoming Community Events – Washington Police Department 📣

The Washington Police Department invites the community to join us this May for several meaningful and family-friendly events focused on honoring service, supporting youth, and promoting safety.

Law Enforcement Memorial Day Ceremony
May 15th at 9:00 AM
Washington Public Safety Building
Contact: SRO Greg Garrett #263 – ggarrett@washmo.gov

Washington Police Explorer Post 2438 5K Run/Walk
May 16th at 8:00 AM
Rotary Riverfront Trail
👉 Register here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/Washington/WashingtonPoliceExplorers5kRun
Donations are accepted and greatly appreciated. Business sponsorship opportunities area also available
Contact: Cpl. Mindy Schmelz – mschmelz@washmo.gov

Washington Optimist Club and Washington Police Department's 50th Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo
May 16th at 9:00 AM
Washington Fairgrounds
Contact: Cindy Buescher – 636-390-3420

Free community event featuring:
• Bicycle Obstacle Course
• Safety Town
• Free child car seat inspections & distribution (while supplies last)
For car seat questions: Elizabeth Broeker – ebroeker@washmo.gov or Stephanie Hellebusch – shellebusch@washmo.gov
• Free MOCHIP child ID kits
And more!

We hope to see you there as we come together to support safety, service, and our community!

Why We Serve

Name: SRO Zach Hudson #293.

Where are you from and where did you go to high school? I grew up in Bourbon, Missouri and graduated from Bourbon High School in 2004.

What did you do prior to getting into law enforcement and do you have any prior public safety experience? I worked as a 911 Dispatcher and I volunteered as a Fire Fighter. After graduating from the police academy, I was hired by the Sullivan Police Department, where I served as a Patrol Officer and later as a School Resource Officer. Following my time at Sullivan PD, I worked as a Deputy Juvenile Officer serving Franklin, Gasconade, and Osage Counties.

What academy did you go to? Missouri Sheriff’s Association Training Academy.

When did you join Washington PD and why? 2024. I heard a lot of great things about the community and the structure of the department. The support that the community has for this department is awesome.

What is your current role within the department and do you have any specialized training or assignments? I’m a School Resource Officer (SRO) and D.A.R.E. Instructor with the School District of Washington, where I am assigned as the SRO for five elementary schools and their Early Learning Center. I also provide D.A.R.E. instruction at two elementary schools. As an SRO, I work to bridge the gap between youth and law enforcement by fostering strong, positive relationships, allowing me to serve as a constructive influence in a child’s life.

When school is out of session, I’m assigned to our Patrol Division to supplement manpower. This is where I was originally assigned when I started at Washington PD.

Why did you choose law enforcement as a career? Emergency services have played a major role in my life, and I genuinely enjoy helping others and building relationships with people from all walks of life.

What’s one thing you wish the public knew or understood about law enforcement and one thing you didn’t know until after you started? I wish the public know that underneath the badge and uniform, there is a human being who actually cares for the public they serve.

One thing I didn’t fully realize until after I started working in law enforcement is how important School Resource Officers are to the communities they serve, and the meaningful impact they can have on a child’s life.

What do you enjoy outside of work? BBQing, smoking different meats, hunting and fishing, traveling, and spending time with my family.

Are you married? Kids? I’m married with four kids.

Pets? We have two dogs. One is an all-white German Shepherd and the other is a Saint Bernard.

Night Shift Summary. Date:05-04-2026

A female and male were arrested for outstanding warrants in the area of Washington Square.

Assisted EMS in the 1100 block of North Park.

Homeless activity in the area of the Farmers Market.

A verbal domestic was reported in the area of Whispering Oaks.

Arrests do not imply guilt.

Why We Serve

Name: P.O. Craig Smith #294

Where are you from and where did you go to high school? I’m from the Spanish Lake area of North St. Louis County and graduated from Hazelwood East High School in 1990.

What did you do prior to getting into law enforcement? I worked for a car dealership in the parts department. I was in the auto parts field for almost 10 years before changing over to law enforcement.

What training academy did you go to and do you have public safety experience? I started out as an Explorer with the Manchester Police Department’s Law Enforcement Exploring program in 1990. I attended the St. Charles County Police Academy and in 1997, I started my career at Manchester PD as Patrol Officer.

When did you join Washington PD and why? 2025. I chose Washington PD because of their reputation as a great organization and good working environment. In addition, it was much closer to my home. At my last department, I would drive 50 minutes each way to work. Now I drive maybe 15 minutes each way. My children also go to school in Washington, which allows me to see them and attend their school events more often.

What is your current role within the department and do you have any specialized assignments? I’m currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer. During my time with the Manchester Police Department, I served in several specialized roles, including ASP Baton Instructor, Field Training Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, and Detective. As a Detective, I worked as an Investigator and served as a Computer Voice Stress Test Analysis Examiner. I was also assigned to the Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad as both an Investigator and Deputy Report Officer. In 2023, I graduated from the FBI National Academy as a member of Session 288.

Why did you choose law enforcement as a career? I grew up in a large family where my father was a habitual alcoholic and one of my older brothers addicted to illegal drugs. Both of them were continuously getting into trouble and subsequently arrested.

When the police responded to our home, which was often, they were empathetic and helpful to the rest of our family, however they still had to do their job. Each time, it left a huge impression on me, especially how they looked and handled themselves. From this, I knew early on that I wanted to do the same thing and help others, whether it be they were in the same situation as me or something else. To this day, I get a lot of satisfaction from helping others during their time of tragedy, misfortune or whatever problems they are confronted with.

What’s one thing you wish the public knew about law enforcement and one thing you didn’t know until after you started? I wish the public understood that police work is nothing like it is on TV - Crime isn’t solved within 45 minutes (minus commercials). Police work is very rewarding, but with that comes a lot of sacrifice. While the general public gets to be with their families the majority of the time and get to attend birthdays, graduations, weddings, sporting events, etc. We often lose out on family time because we have to work. However, we still do it because we believe in what we do.

The one thing I didn’t realize about police work until I started, was the amount of paperwork that’s needed. 95% of our work is done with report writing and investigations, and only about 5% is exciting and glorified.

What do you enjoy outside of work? In my spare time, I enjoy refurbishing and refinishing old antique furniture.

Are you married? Kids? I’ve been married for almost 17 years. My wife and I have two children together - two boys who are 14 and 15 years old

Pets? My wife and kids have one dog, a French Bulldog. Her name is Remi (short for Remington

Night Shift Summary. Date: 05/03/2026

A vehicle parts were reported in the southbound lane of Highway 47 near Heritage Hills Drive. An animal was reported running loose on Stafford Street near Horn Street. Two subjects were arrested during a physical domestic on International Avenue near Highway 100. A peace disturbance was reported at the riverfront. Officers assisted another agency in the 1400 block of East 5th Street. A suspicious person was reported in the 900 block of East 5th Street. A suspicious vehicle was reported in the 800 block of Madison Avenue.

Night Shift Summary. Date: 05/02/2026

A subject was stopped for traffic violations and placed under arrest for driving while revoked. A parking violation was reported in the 1000 block of West 7th Street. A report was taken in reference to a verbal domestic in the 1700 block of West Main Street. A subject was stopped for traffic violations and placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Day Shift Summary 05/03/2026

Peace disturbance in the area of West 5th Street and Lafayette Street. Subjects causing the disturbance were asked to leave.

Trespassing at the riverfront. Subjects were walking on the tracks. They were advised that was not only dangerous, it was owned by Union Pacific and is considered trespassing.

Non-injury traffic crash in the 100 block of Stafford Street.

Hazards removed from the roadway in the 300 block of Rand Street.