In the early morning hours of February 7, 2022, the life of 27-year-old Colton Alan Koch, a dedicated Jewell County Sheriff's deputy, was tragically cut short in his Mankato, Kansas, home. The events leading to his death began to unfold shortly after 2:00 a.m. when the sheriff's office received two separate calls from within the residence at 507 E.
Madison, both reporting a domestic incident in progress.
A fellow deputy was dispatched to the scene, unaware of the grim discovery that awaited. Upon entering the home, the responding officer found Koch had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, leaving a community and his law enforcement colleagues in shock. Koch had served with the Jewell County Sheriff's Office for approximately two and a half years.
The Jewell County Sheriff's Office promptly requested the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to lead the inquiry into the suspicious death. KBI agents and their Crime Scene Response Team arrived at the residence around 2:40 a.m. to begin the painstaking process of collecting evidence and piecing together the events that led to the young deputy's demise. An autopsy was scheduled to officially determine the cause of death.
Despite the initial reports of a domestic disturbance, details regarding any other individuals present at the home at the time of the shooting have not been publicly released by authorities. The ongoing investigation has yet to result in any publicly announced arrests, and no suspects have been officially named in connection with the death of Colton Alan Koch. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has encouraged anyone with information regarding the case to come forward as they continue to seek answers in the untimely death of the young lawman.
