News
🏆 Announcing the 2026 June Stop Stick® Hit of the Month
August 27, 2026
By: Zach Madden
Category: Stop Stick Hit of the Month
Stop Stick® Hit of the Month – June 2026
June 2026 Stop Stick® Hit of the Month: Each month, Stop Stick® recognizes law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional tactical proficiency and commitment to public safety.
Announcing the June 2026 Stop Stick® Hit of the Month
Harvey County Sheriff’s Office
Newton, Kansas
- # of Cars Deployed on: 1
- # of Tires Deflated: 3 R/Front, R/Rear, L/Rear
- Device Used: Stop Stick®
- Pursuit Speed: 91-100 mph
- Time of Pursuit: 116Minutes
- Miles Traveled After Deployment: 3
- Target Vehicle Make: Nissan Altima
- Deploying Officer: Deputy T. Wenger
Harvey County Sheriff’s Office [Kansas] Earns the Stop Stick® Hit of the Month Award for June 2026
We are proud to announce the winner of the June 2026 Stop Stick® Hit of the Month award: Deputy T. Wenger of the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office (Kansas).
Ultimately, this month’s winning deployment successfully terminated a lengthy, high-speed pursuit involving three murder suspects fleeing out of Kansas City, leading directly to the capture of all three individuals. Above all, Deputy Wenger’s deployment showcases the vital effectiveness of Stop Stick® in interdicting high-risk felonious pursuits, further backed by exceptional inter-agency teamwork.
The Incident: LPR Notification and Escalation
Late on a Sunday night, Harvey County deputies received a critical notification from a License Plate Reader (LPR) system in a neighboring county. Specifically, the alert indicated that a vehicle connected to a homicide investigation was traveling along US 50 heading into Harvey County toward Newton.
Shortly thereafter, a Harvey County deputy patrolling US 50 located the suspect Nissan Altima as it entered the county and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, the driver ignored the deputy’s flashing emergency lights and refused to yield, thereby triggering a high-risk pursuit.
The Pursuit: Multi-Agency Containment
As the primary deputy trailed the fleeing vehicle, a tactical containment plan was simultaneously put into place. Coordinating seamlessly with the Newton Police Department (NPD), local officers then closed off exit ramps along US 50, successfully preventing the suspect vehicle from plunging into more densely populated city and residential streets.
Consequently, left without an easy escape route and cornered by coordinated roadblocks, the suspects pushed the Nissan Altima to speeds between 91–100 mph. From there, the pursuit continued at high speeds through Harvey County before transitioning onto Interstate 135, where the operation neared its conclusion.
The Deployment: Precision on I-135
Deputy T. Wenger was already positioned ahead of the pursuit on I-135. Quickly exiting his patrol vehicle and retrieving his Stop Sticks, Deputy Wenger deployed the devices across the roadway and then retreated to cover to coordinate with pursuing deputies.
As the line of flashing emergency lights approached, Deputy Wenger precisely timed his pull to position the Stop Sticks directly into the fleeing vehicle’s pathway. Consequently, the Nissan Altima struck the devices, instantly flattening three tires.
Even so, the driver attempted to push the heavily compromised vehicle for another three miles on flat tires; however, they ultimately realized further flight was impossible.
Safe Ending and Suspect Apprehension
As Harvey County deputies safely boxed the vehicle in, all three occupants surrendered without further incident.
In the wake of the apprehension, investigators retraced the route as the sun rose, recovering multiple firearms and ammunition discarded in a roadside ditch off I-135—key evidence linked to the ongoing homicide investigation.
Why This Hit Won
This high-profile deployment represents the absolute pinnacle of law enforcement coordination and tactical execution. By working hand-in-hand with the Newton Police Department to shut down US 50 exits, officers protected civilian lives from a high-speed urban catastrophe while making the suspects’ trajectory predictable.
Deputy Wenger’s expertly timed deployment brought a dangerous 116-minute pursuit of violent felony suspects to a definitive, safe end, yielding crucial evidence and safeguarding the community.
Congratulations to Deputy T. Wenger and the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office for their tactical excellence, outstanding inter-agency cooperation, and unwavering dedication to public safety!
For more details on this story, visit:
- https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-news/kck-murder-suspects-captured-in-harvey-county/
- https://www.newtonkansas.com/Departments/Communications/News-and-Announcements/Newton-Police-arrest-suspects-in-KCK-homicide
🚔 Submit Your Agency’s Successful Hit Report
Are you a law enforcement professional with a successful Stop Stick® deployment story? Help protect your fellow officers, log your agency’s performance data, and nominate your team for our national Hit of the Month recognition by submitting your official Stop Stick® Deployment Report today.
Stop Stick® Hit of the Month June 2026 Nominees
West
Milwaukie Police Department
Milwaukie, Oregon
- # of Cars Deployed on: 1
- # of Tires Deflated: 3 (L/Front), (R/Front), (R/Rear)
- Device: Stop Stick®
- Pursuit Speed: 61-70 mph
- Time of Pursuit: 34 minutes
- Miles Traveled After Deployment: 1
- Target Vehicle Make: 2015 Infiniti Q50
- Deploying Officer: Ofc. J. Smith
Stop Stick® Hit of the Month Runner-Up: West Region – Milwaukie Police Department
For June’s Runner-Up for our West Region, we proudly recognize Officer J. Smith of the Milwaukie Police Department (Oregon).
Officer Smith successfully deployed Stop Stick® tire deflation devices during a prolonged, cross-jurisdictional pursuit that crossed state lines into Washington and back into Oregon, bringing a high-risk evasion to a safe and controlled end.
The Incident: A Multi-State Pursuit Begins
Initially, the incident originated when officers with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2015 Infiniti Q50. However, as officers illuminated their overhead lights, the driver refused to yield, hitting the accelerator and prompting the initiation of a pursuit.
From there, the fleeing suspect managed to evade multiple law enforcement agencies over a grueling 34-minute timeline, ultimately dragging units north into Washington State. Once across the state line, Washington law enforcement assumed the primary pursuit role. Undeterred, though, the suspect eventually turned the vehicle around, heading back across the state line into Oregon, where Portland and Clackamas County law enforcement resumed tracking.
The Deployment: Milwaukie PD Intercepts
Despite heavy maneuvering, reckless swerving, and high speeds ranging from 61–70 mph, PPB and Clackamas County units consistently maintained pressure on the suspect.
Eventually, the pursuit’s trajectory led toward the city of Milwaukie, just southeast of Portland. Anticipating the route, Officer J. Smith monitored the radio traffic as the pursuit re-entered Oregon and, positioning himself ahead of the oncoming vehicles, prepared a precise tactical deployment.
After coordinating closely with pursuing deputies and Portland officers, Officer Smith deployed Stop Sticks across the roadway. As a result, the fleeing Infiniti struck the devices, resulting in an immediate three-tire deflation.
Safe Termination and Surrender
Even with three tires failing, the driver initially attempted to push forward; however, the heavily compromised vehicle could only manage one more mile before the suspect realized further flight was impossible. Ultimately, the driver pulled over and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
Why This Deployment Earned the Runner-Up Nomination
Undoubtedly, extended pursuits crossing multiple municipal and state boundaries present severe logistical and public safety challenges, as bringing a 34-minute multi-agency pursuit to a safe close requires calculated patience and tactical readiness.
In this instance, by anticipating the suspect’s path and executing a clean Stop Stick® deployment, Officer Smith successfully stripped the vehicle of its maneuverability—ultimately allowing pursuing units to close the distance and take the suspect into custody safely.
Congratulations to Officer J. Smith and the Milwaukie Police Department for their exemplary situational awareness, tactical precision, and unwavering commitment to public safety!
🚔 Submit Your Agency’s Successful Hit Report
Did your department recently use a Stop Stick® device to safely end a reckless vehicle pursuit? Log your metrics to qualify for equipment replacement and nominate your team for our national Hit of the Month recognition by filling out our official Stop Stick® Deployment Report today.
Midwest
Wakarusa Police Department & Nappanee Police Department
Wakarusa, Indiana – Nappanee, Indiana
- # of Cars Deployed on: 1
- # of Tires Deflated on: 4 (R/Front), (L/Front), (R/Rear), (L/Rear)
- Device Used: Stop Stick®
- Pursuit Speed: 91-100 mph
- Time of Pursuit: 16 minutes
- Miles Traveled After Deployment: 1
- Target Vehicle Make: 2014 Ford Focus
- Deploying Officer: Cpl. M. Ely – Wakarusa PD, Pfc. J. Sterling – Nappanee PD.
Stop Stick® Hit of the Month Runner-Up: Midwest Region – Wakarusa & Nappanee Police Departments
For June’s Runner-Up for our Midwest Region, we proudly recognize Cpl. M. Ely of the Wakarusa Police Department (Indiana) and Pfc. J. Sterling of the Nappanee Police Department (Indiana).
The Incident: Traffic Stop Escalates into High-Speed Flight
In the early morning hours of June 6, Elkhart County deputies attempted a traffic stop on a 2014 Ford Focus exhibiting clear signs of impaired and reckless driving.
However, as deputies illuminated their overhead lights to pull the vehicle over, the driver refused to yield, instead hitting the accelerator and fleeing at speeds reaching upwards of 91–100 mph.
The Pursuit & Tactical Deployment: Textbook Multi-Agency Coordination
The moment the suspect fled, local authorities immediately coordinated a swift response. Indeed, upon hearing dispatch traffic, neighboring officers from both the Wakarusa and Nappanee Police Departments promptly mobilized to intercept.
Meanwhile, as Elkhart deputies maintained pursuit, Cpl. Ely and Pfc. Sterling communicated via radio with dispatch, confirming they were en route to set up an ahead-of-pursuit interception. Recognizing that they were converging on the same area, the two officers executed a coordinated dual deployment.
Upon arriving at the predetermined location ahead of the fleeing vehicle, Cpl. Ely and Pfc. Sterling blanketed the roadway with Stop Sticks. Consequently, as the high-speed pursuit neared, the Ford Focus struck both sets of devices, resulting in a complete four-tire deflation.
Safe Termination and Arrest
Left with four flat tires and a vehicle incapable of maintaining speed, the driver quickly realized escape was impossible. Consequently, the suspect pulled the vehicle over less than a mile past the deployment site and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
Why This Deployment Earned the Runner-Up Nomination
First and foremost, the sheer precision of this joint agency deployment immediately stood out. Achieving a full four-tire deflation on a vehicle traveling at 100 mph requires split-second timing and clear communication.
Ultimately, by rapidly coordinating “on the fly,” Cpl. Ely and Pfc. Sterling neutralized a dangerous, high-speed threat before it could enter more densely populated areas or cause catastrophic harm to innocent motorists.
Congratulations to Cpl. Ely and the Wakarusa Police Department, and Pfc. Sterling and the Nappanee Police Department. For their tactical excellence, outstanding cross-agency teamwork, and relentless dedication to public safety!
🚔 Submit Your Agency’s Successful Hit Report
Did your department recently use a Stop Stick® device to safely end a reckless vehicle pursuit? Log your metrics to qualify for equipment replacement and nominate your team for our national Hit of the Month recognition by filling out our official Stop Stick® Deployment Report today.
East
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Carmel, New York
- # of Cars Deployed on: 1
- # of Tires Deflated on: 1 (R/Front)
- Device Used: Stop Stick®
- Pursuit Speed: 61-70 mph
- Time of Pursuit: 19 minutes
- Miles Traveled After Deployment: < 1
- Target Vehicle Make: Honda
- Deploying Officer(s): Sgt. R. Weinberg.
Stop Stick® Hit of the Month Runner-Up: East Region – Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
For June’s runner-up in our Eastern Region, we proudly recognize Sgt. Weinberg and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office [NY].
Ultimately, Sgt. Weinberg successfully deployed Stop Stick® tire deflation devices on an intoxicated wrong-way driver traveling at highway speeds into oncoming traffic on Interstate 84, thereby safely terminating the pursuit before a tragedy could occur.
The Situation: Wrong-Way Driver on Interstate 84
At approximately 1:28 a.m. on the morning of June 28, New York State Police were alerted by Dutchess County 911 to a vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84.
In response, State Troopers raced to intercept the vehicle, successfully identifying it as it crossed into the town of Fishkill. Still driving directly into oncoming traffic. Shortly after locating the car, Troopers pulled alongside the suspect vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, the driver ignored all verbal and visual commands to pull over.
The Tactical Pursuit: Intercepting Danger
Faced with public safety on the line, State Troopers first prioritized shielding other motorists while attempting to de-escalate the dangerous situation. Meanwhile, recognizing the escalating threat, Putnam County Deputy Sgt. R. Weinberg moved ahead of the pursuit to set up a tactical intercept in the westbound lanes of I-84. As the pursuit approached his location amid a haze of flashing emergency lights, Sgt. Weinberg coordinated closely with pursuing troopers in order to confirm the exact travel lane of the suspect.
Moments later, the fleeing Honda struck Sgt. Weinberg’s strategically placed Stop Sticks, instantly flattening the front-right tire. Forced to slow down on the deflated tire, the suspect finally pulled over and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
Following the arrest, a subsequent sobriety test administered at State Police headquarters ultimately revealed the driver was operating at nearly two times the legal limit, blowing a 0.19 BAC.
Why This Deployment Earned the Runner-Up Nomination
Undoubtedly, wrong-way drivers represent one of the most unpredictable and lethal hazards law enforcement officers face. As officers must constantly balance public safety, high speeds, and limited reaction windows.
However, by executing a textbook deployment of Stop Stick®, Sgt. Weinberg safely mitigated the threat. Giving State Troopers the controlled opportunity needed to close the distance and take the suspect into custody safely. Ultimately, without rapid interdiction, the suspect would have continued endangering countless lives on the interstate that evening. Congratulations to Sgt. Weinberg and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for their tactical precision, outstanding agency teamwork, and relentless commitment to community safety!
For more details on this story, visit:
🚔 Log Your Department’s Pursuit Success Story
Did your shift safely stop a fleeing vehicle using our tire deflation systems? Protect your community, log your agency’s performance data, and ensure your equipment is replaced by submitting your official Stop Stick® Deployment Report
You can be considered for Video of the Year by uploading dashcam or bodycam footage after submitting your Deployment Report
To nominate an officer for Hit of the Month, please submit a pursuit report at: https://stopstick.com/home/pursuit-reporting.