Longtime Hiawatha Police Sergeant Laura Tollefson has been terminated. 

Confirmation of the decision is provided by Hiawatha City Administrator Lynne Ladner, who says Tollefson was terminated May 11th. 

However, Ladner-who remains tight lipped on whether or not Tollefson was placed on paid or unpaid leave prior to her termination-will provide no comment on her decision to dismiss Tollefson.  Ladner cites, as her reason to make no comment, the fact that Tollefson has requested a grievance hearing before the City Commission, tentatively set for Monday. 

That would happen, in a closed door executive session, during the evening's regular meeting, if Mayor Crosby Gernon's schedule allows him to be available.

At that time, Tollefson would make her case as to why the City Administrator's decision to terminate was wrong.  The Commission, after hearing the case, would have the opportunity to overturn Ladner's decision, if they find reason to do so. 

Tollefson was placed on the administrative leave March 22nd.  

An investigation has been conducted regarding Tollefson.  It's currently under review by the Kansas Attorney General's office. 

However, no details as to what the investigation pertains to have been made public. 

Tollefson has sent an email to unspecified recipients seeking support while outlining details of the controversy.   In the letter, obtained by this news department, Tollefson says she was offered the opportunity to resign, but declined because the termination was not justified or fair. Saying that she loves the Hiawatha community, in which she grew up, Tollefson asks those receiving the email to contact the city's governing body with letters of support. 

Tollefson served the Hiawatha Police Department for 20 years, beginning her duties in May of 1992. 

TOLLEFSON'S EMAIL STATEMENT FOLLOWS: 

As you know, my career has recently been in turmoil. I was placed on administrative leave on March 22, 2012, pending an investigation regarding a decision I made on a call over three months prior. As I understand it, the untimely investigation resulted from a complaint made by a departing officer with six months law enforcement experience in Kansas. Due to a conflict of interest with the City and County Attorney's Offices, on April 16, 2012, the case was referred to the Kansas Attorney General's Office for review only. On April 25, 2012, after 20 years of service, without any prior warning or disciplinary action, the Hiawatha City Administrator terminated my employment with the City of Hiawatha. I was offered the opportunity to resign, but declined because my termination was not justified and it was not fair. The Kansas Attorney General's Office has yet to complete their review of the case and has informed me that it is "not a high priority". Hence, I have requested a grievance hearing before the City of Hiawatha's Governing Body and would greatly appreciate your assistance in providing me with a letter of support.

I was born and raised in Hiawatha, and attended college at Kansas State University. I then served in the United States Air Force and chose to return to Hiawatha and serve as a Police Officer. This was not a difficult decision for me because I love this community. Throughout the years I have had other opportunities presented, but chose to stay because of the commitment I had made.

During the last 20 years, I have served this community to the best of my ability. Law Enforcement Officers are required to make split second decisions that wi" have lasting effects on everyone involved, which is not an easy task.

Have I made mistakes? Absolutely. Have I learned from them and tried to do a better job next time? Absolutely.

Throughout my career I have dedicated myself to helping and serving others and have actually been accused of "caring too much". Little did I know, I would be reaching out to those very same people to ask them for help.

I will not rest until I know that I have done everything in my power to save my career and subsequent employment with the City of Hiawatha.

I would deeply appreciate your letters of support. They may be sent to members of the City of Hiawatha's Governing Body.  

(Addresses, phone numbers and other contact details are redacted by the editor.)