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Police

Suspect In Custody Following Tuesday Night Shooting Death of Riverton Man

Just before 9:00pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, emergency personnel were dispatched to a shooting in the 800 block of Columbus Street in Galena.


Cherokee County Emergency Medical Personnel attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful.


Levi Porter, age 27, of Riverton, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cherokee County Deputy Coroner.


Billy Barker, 49, of Galena, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of 2nd Degree Murder.

Formal charges have not yet been filed.


The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Galena Police Department.

Billy Barker

You Drink. You Drive. You Lose- is Just Ahead

Drivers are advised that during the period of August 20 through Labor Day, September 7, The Galena Police Department will join other police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.

It is illegal to drive while impaired, yet one person is killed in a drunk driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States. Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination.

Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make. According to Chief Charles, The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers to take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death. If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death. Think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, and neighbors.  Also always wear your seat belt, it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.

You can count on this agency to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year in order to save lives.

Independence Day (4th of July)

As the 4th of July approaches people are starting to ask about the city ordnance on fire works with in the City Limits.

Fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am through 10:30 pm on July 1st, 2nd , and 3rd. On July 4th they can be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am and ending at midnight.

BOTTLE ROCKETS PROHIBITED. Bottle rockets and other similar self-propelled firework or fireworks devices consisting of a tube and attached guiding stock or rod shall not be sold or discharged in the city.

DISCHARGE ON STREETS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, ignite or fire any fireworks upon any public street, alley or avenue or in any park or public place within the city.

THROWING PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, cast or propel fireworks of any kind in the direction of or into the path of any animal, person or group of persons, or from, in the direction of or into any vehicle of any kind.

Toys for Kids

On November 26, 2021, members of the Galena Police Department, Galena Fire Department and the City Clerks office participated in a Boot Block at 7th and Main Street in Galena to raise money for the annual Toys for Kids program. During the Boot Block we were able to collect over $2900.00 for this program.

Members of the City Clerks office, the City Court, and the Public Works Department used this money to buy toys for the Toys for Kids Program.  

On December 14, 2021, Santa visited the Spring Grove School to pass out toys for each child enrolled.

We would like to thank the community their support and donating to help make this another successful year for the program.

Arrest Made as a Result of an Ongoing Investigation

On Thursday December 9, 2021, at approximately 3:40 pm, Officers with the Galena Police Department were dispatched to 1606 South Main Street for a disturbance. Once officers arrived, they identified one of the persons involved in the disturbance as Bazil Hudson. Mr. Hudson has been part of a separate investigation by the Galena Police Department.

The Galena Police Department has been investigating allegations of Sex Crime reported to them a few months prior. Investigators submitted charges through the Cherokee County Attorneys Office last week in that case. As officers were working the disturbance they were initially called for; they were notified a Warrant had been issued by the Cherokee County District Court for the prior crimes.

Bazil V. Hudson, 29, of Galena was taken into custody for the active warrant. The following charges were listed on the warrant: Rape, two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, and Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a child. As officer’s were arresting Mr. Hudson; additional charges are being submitted to the County Attorney’s office for two counts of Criminal Threat, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Bazil Hudson was transported to the Cherokee County Jail where he is being held in lieu of $111,000 bond.

Road Closure for Railroad Repair

UPDATE!!!!

North Main in Galena will be closed from Front Street to Clark Street starting DECEMBER 7th at 7:00am through DECEMBER 9TH at 5:00pm. BNSF Railroad will be conducting Crossing Repairs during this time.

Please plan accordingly: There will be a DETOUR using Clark and Front Streets to bypass this work zone.

Officer Position Available

The City of Galena, KS is looking for professional, self-motivated, community oriented, individuals to apply for Police Officer positions.

TYPE:  Full Time

SALARY:  Dependent on Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Applicants must be 21 years of age, a United States Citizen, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and good moral character.  Applicant cannot have felony or domestic violence arrests. Law Enforcement certified preferred but not mandatory.

The City of Galena is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants are required to successfully pass a background investigation, psychological, physical, and drug and alcohol testing.

OBTAINING AN APPLICATION: To obtain an application; Print from City Web Site: www.Galenaks.gov  or request and return to: City Clerk’s Office at (620)783-5265, 211 W 7th Street Galena, KS 66739.

Route 66 Travelers Provide Donation

Today a group of Vietnamese Travelers from the Huston and Austin Tx area came through Galena traveling Route 66. They were traveling on 2 buses from All America Travel. They said they travel through here every 3 years or so and are really impressed with our little town. The group donated a total of $600.00 to the Police Department and Fire Station to show their appreciation for the jobs we do to keep the citizens safe. We would like to thank this group for their kind words of support and the donation they provided.

You Drink. You Drive. You Lose

The Galena Police Department will be joining other local and state law enforcement agencies across Kansas starting August 20 through Labor Day, September 6, in a crackdown aimed at removing drunk and other impaired drivers from the roadways during *You Drink. You Drive. You Lose. 

It is illegal everywhere to drive while impaired, yet, in 2019, over 10,000 people in the U.S. were killed in drunk driving crashes. Impaired driving fatalities every day are the direct result of decisions people make. Driving after consuming ANY potentially impairing substance is a decision YOU make.

You know that it is wrong and dangerous. You tell yourself you won’t do it again, but you do. It’s time to stop.

Start a new habit, the habit of NOT driving to situations where you will be tempted to drink or partake in other impairing substances. Ask to ride with a non-drinking friend, designate a driver, or use one of the many other options available. Start today.

The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers: 

 “Don’t consume impairing substances and get behind the wheel. Impaired driving is a major cause of crashes and a danger not just to you and those riding with you, but to every single person on the road.

Make it a habit to have a sober driver lined up before you drink alcohol away from home.

We also want to remind everyone to always have your seatbelts on, it’s your best defense in case of a crash.

You can always count on this department to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year.”