Support Injured Sheriff's Deputy Bobby Coffin

Late Monday night, September 16th2019, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Coffin was injured in a traumatic vehicle accident while on-duty. During the accident, Bobby’s hip was dislocated by 4”+ causing his hip socket to be fractured and multiple vertebrae in his lower back were also fractured. His patrol vehicle caught fire as a result of the accident and he Bobby was pulled from the vehicle by another Deputy as the fire consumed the passenger compartment.  Bobby was released from the hospital on Friday and is now home recovering.

Bobby has been serving the citizens of Cass County since July of 2017 and wants to get back to his passion as soon as possible. However, there are uncertainties with his recovery timeline, especially with his back injuries. Bobby will receive Worker’s Compensation pay during his recovery, but it does not cover his full regular salary, nor does it account for overtime that many law enforcement officers count on to supplement their income.

Bobby has the love of his wife Shayla, his family (both blood and blue), and friends to help him through this difficult time. No person should suffer hardship for doing their job, so we are humbly asking for donations to help the Coffin Family through this difficult time – especially with the upcoming holiday season. Thanks for your support and consideration, it is truly appreciated!

Below is the Press Release from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office regarding this Deputy Coffin’s accident and an update of the suspect’s resulting additional charges. As you can see, Deputy Coffin’s actions resulted in a wanted criminal being apprehended.

Deputy Injured and Suspect In Custody Following Pursuit
Around 11:45 pm Monday night Cass County Deputies stopped a grey 2003 Chevy Tahoe for a traffic violation on S. Prospect near E. 155th St. When the deputies approached the vehicle, the driver sped off at a high rate of speed. During the brief chase, the suspect vehicle and deputy's vehicle went off the roadway at a curve in the roadway north of E. 155th Street on S. Prospect. The suspect vehicle struck a tree and came to rest in a field a short distance from the roadway. The deputy's patrol car also struck a tree. The deputy's patrol car sustained heavy damage and caught fire. A second deputy arrived on scene shortly after the crash and pulled the deputy to safety from the burning car.

Officers from Belton Police Department, Grandview Police Department, Kansas City Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the scene to assist and secure a perimeter of the area. A search of the field aided by a Cass County K9 Team and FLIR equipped UAV from the Sheriff's Office located the suspect hiding near the crash scene around 12:30 am.

Grandview and Kansas City Fire Departments arrived on scene to extinguish the fire, treat the deputy, and suspect.

The deputy was transported to an area hospital in serious but stable condition and remains hospitalized.

The suspect, identified as Charles F. Rice, 36, Kansas City MO was treated and released from the hospital. He is currently in custody on the following warrants:
·         Failure to Appear - Resisting Arrest, Jackson County, Bond $10,000.00
·         Failure to Appear - Larceny from Auto, Jackson County, Bond $10,000.00
·         Failure to Appear - Amphetamine Possession, Jackson County, Bond $10,000.00
·         Stealing & Possession Controlled Substance, Kansas City PD, Bond $5,000.00
·         Traffic Offense License Suspended/Revoked, Belton PD, Bond $2400.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense License Suspended/Revoked, Belton PD, Bond $300.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense Leaving Scene of Crash, Belton PD, Bond $300.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense License Suspended/Revoked, Belton PD, Bond $2400.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense Expired Plates, Belton PD, Bond $2400.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense Improper Registration, Belton PD, Bond $150.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense Defective Equipment, Belton PD, Bond $2400.00 10%
·         Traffic Offense Expired Plates, Belton PD, Bond $300.00 10%

Charges from this incident are pending. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Update: Charges Filed
The Cass County Prosecutor has charged Charles F. Rice, 36, with B Felony Assault 2nd Degree - Special Victim, E Felony Resisting Arrest By Fleeing Creating a Substantial Risk of Serious Injury or Death, and E Felony Driving While Revoked.

Cass County Associate Judge J. Michael Rumley set Rice's bond at $150,000.00 Cash Only.

Rice is expected to be arraigned on 09-18-19 in Cass County.