Osage County deputies shot in November incident honored with prestigious award

OSAGE COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) - Three Osage Co. deputies who were injured in the line of duty during a November incident were honored at the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association Conference banquet on Thursday.

According to a social media post from the Osage Co. Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Christian Moran, Cpl. Clayton Hartpence and K9 Deputy James Cason received the Deputy of the Year Award on Thursday, Nov. 5, nearly a year after they were injured.

Following last year’s incident, Moran, Hartpence and Cason have recovered from the life-threatening incident and have returned to full duty.

The sheriff’s office added that the three deputies were previously honored with the Gold Award for Valor by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police for their heroic actions during this incident.

One person died in the domestic incident on Nov. 15, 2025. All three of the officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries after gunfire erupted while they responded to a disturbance just north of 113th Street and S. Topeka Boulevard in Osage County. The location was just north of Carbondale.

A man who authorities referred to as the suspect was shot and killed during the incident. A second man -- described as a “civilian” -- also was wounded.

In addition, Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Adam Ellis was also was shot in the incident and was taken to a Kansas City-area hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was later released from the hospital.