Steve Howe

Howe was able to weather controversies over his handling of the officer-involved killing of John Albers in 2018 and the FBI investigation that brought national attention to the case.

The sheriff's admission that no judge signed his search warrant for old election ballots came in the middle of a Republican candidate forum. For years, Hayden has claimed he is investigating voter fraud, but his probe has not yielded any charges or evidence.

Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe declined to file criminal charges against the Overland Park Police officer who killed 17-year-old John Albers in 2018. But police dash video contradicted Howe’s account of what happened in the shooting.

The four officers — Sgt. Brandon Faber, Officer Brad Heater, Sgt. Rachel Scattergood and Sgt. Tim Tinnin — were placed on paid leave more than a year ago while District Attorney Steve Howe’s office investigated claims that they misused funds for the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation while serving as board members.

Brandon Lynch, 27, was shot three times by Olathe Police after responding to a 911 call from Lynch's sister on New Year’s Eve 2022, saying he was threatening her. He had a knife, a Taser and a history with police.

The 14-year-old was one of six teens charged in the death of 19-year-old Marco Cardino, in what appears to have been a marijuana deal gone awry at Black Bob Park.