HESSTSON, Kan. (KWCH) – Wednesday marks 10 years since a gunman killed three people and injured 14 others, scarring a quiet community in Harvey County. Cedric Ford’s rampage began in Newton and ended at Hesston’s Excel Industries, one of Harvey County’s largest employers that specializes in making lawn care equipment.
After shooting at vehicles, wounding two people and stealing a vehicle in Newton, the man who had worked at Excel Industries shot and killed Renee Benjamin, Joshua Higbee and Brian Sadowsky, three former co-workers, beloved in their communities.
Quick and brave action from Hesston’s lead law enforcement officer kept the victim count from getting higher. Then Hesston Police Chief Doug Schroeder did not wait for backup as he entered the warehouse at Excel Industries, confronted Ford, exchanged gunfire with him and ended the threat uninjured…