Warrant issued for ex-deputy

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A bench warrant was issued Monday for a former deputy fired Jan. 28, 2024 — after less than two weeks on the job.

The warrant was issued because he failed to appear in court for a hearing to revoke his diversion agreement in a disorderly conduct case.

Byron D. McDonald, 40, was arrested Jan. 27, 2024, by Hillsboro police on suspicion of domestic battery and disorderly conduct after he allegedly kicked his girlfriend.

Ultimately charged Feb. 22, 2024, with disorderly conduct by then-county attorney Joel Ensey, McDonald entered into a diversion agreement Sept. 19, 2024.

The agreement specified that he would pay $578, have no contact with his former girlfriend, and perform 30 hours of community service.

County attorney Michelle Brown, noting that McDonald had not provided proof of community service work, filed a motion April 24 to revoke his diversion.

Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training revoked McDonald’s police certification July 17, ruling that he had engaged in criminal conduct that reflected on the honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, or competence of an officer.

A misdemeanor conviction such as disorderly conduct is sufficient reason to revoke certification.

The incident in Hillsboro was not McDonald’s first brush with the law.

He was charged Feb. 7, 2005, and Jan. 12, 2007, in Allen County with giving worthless checks. In both cases, charges later were dismissed.

CPOST’s order revoking his certification says McDonald worked for Neodesha police from July 2, 2022, to Dec. 28, 2023, before being hired by the sheriff’s office Jan. 16, 2024, and that he had worked part-time for Erie police from Dec. 30, 2022, to Aug. 15, 2023.

Court records show 18 debt collection cases against McDonald in Allen, Wilson, and Neosho counties and three evictions.