Petitioner
The Family of Charles Adair
In Care of: Justice for Wyandotte
Executive Director, Nikki Richardson
Kansas City, Kansas

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Recipients
Chief Karl Oakman – Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Sheriff Daniel Soptic – Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office
District Attorney Mark Dupree – Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office
Director Tony Mattivi – Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Chief Justice Robert Burns – Division 1, Wyandotte County Courthouse

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PETITION

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For the Immediate Arrest of Wyandotte County Sheriff Deputy Richard Fatherley

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We, the family of Charles Adair, together with Justice for Wyandotte, the community of Kansas City, Kansas, and supporters across the nation, demand the immediate arrest of Wyandotte County Sheriff Deputy Richard Fatherley. We further demand transparency and accountability in the case of Mr. Adair, who tragically lost his life while in detention under troubling and unjustifiable circumstances.

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✍🏾 Please sign and share this petition to help the Adair family secure the justice and truth they deserve.

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Unanswered Questions About the Lack of an Arrest Warrant

Despite District Attorney Mark Dupree filing charges against Deputy Richard Fatherley—including second-degree murder and reckless involuntary manslaughter—no arrest has yet been made. This failure raises urgent concerns and leaves the community questioning why justice continues to be delayed.

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Even more concerning, a summons was issued rather than an arrest warrant. This is deeply troubling given recent failures of accountability within Wyandotte County’s law enforcement. For example, Detective Roger Golubski, who faced federal charges, committed suicide while on house arrest—evading full justice. This history makes the community’s distrust in law enforcement and the judicial process not only reasonable but undeniable.

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Additional unanswered questions remain:

• Why was Deputy Fatherley, with less than a year on the force, allowed to serve in this capacity?

• Why was he not acting in an official role at the time of the incident, yet still shielded by the system?

• Why does it appear that Deputy Fatherley is being granted special protection from accountability that ordinary citizens would never receive?

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The issuance of a summons rather than an arrest warrant must be reconsidered immediately to restore public trust and deliver justice for Charles Adair.

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The Tragic Death of Charles Adair

• Arrest & Detention: On July 4, 2024, Charles Adair was arrested on a misdemeanor traffic warrant for failure to appear. He was booked into the Wyandotte County Detention Center.

• Health Condition: Mr. Adair, 50, was in fragile health, suffering from illness and requiring a wheelchair for mobility. On July 5, 2024, he received treatment in the facility’s infirmary for a pre-existing leg wound.

• Incident: Later that evening, deputies reported a disturbance. At least ten deputies responded. Mr. Adair was handcuffed. During this response, Deputy Richard Fatherley knelt on Mr. Adair’s neck and back using a “shoulder pin maneuver” for 1 minute and 25 seconds.

• Excessive Force: Halfway through the maneuver, witnesses state Deputy Fatherley applied increased pressure even as Mr. Adair’s body went motionless. Deputies then removed the cuffs and left the cell.

• Death: At 9:19 PM, Charles Adair was pronounced dead.

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This excessive and unnecessary use of force mirrors the tragedies of other high-profile cases where individuals in law enforcement custody were deprived of dignity, care, and life.

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Our Demand

We demand that Deputy Richard Fatherley be immediately arrested and held accountable for the death of Charles Adair. We call upon:

• District Attorney Mark Dupree to uphold his duty to prosecute fairly and without delay.

• Sheriff Daniel Soptic and the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office to stop shielding Deputy Fatherley.

• Chief Karl Oakman, Director Tony Mattivi, and Chief Justice Robert Burns to ensure this case is handled transparently, lawfully, and justly.

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Justice delayed is justice denied.

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✍🏾 Please sign by and share this petition today to stand with the Adair family in their pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability.