Alleged victims of disgraced KCK detective speak during Town Hall
Dec 11, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Alleged victims of disgraced former Kansas City, Kansas Police Detective Roger Golubski are sharing their pain.
A community meeting was held Wednesday night to let people share what they're feeling. How does the community move forward from this?
While there were several people in attendance, KCK and Wyandotte County leaders were not there to listen.
A packed room inside First Baptist Church in KCK. Some community leaders, residents, people with stories similar to Michelle Houcks.
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"He took something from me that was so precious that I could never get back," Houcks said.
Houcks is one of five woman who filed a lawsuit against the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK and Golubski, for violating civil rights.
Ophelia Williams-Pettway is another woman in that lawsuit.
"I was a Golubski victim after he came and arrested my two sons at the age of 14, now they're 40," she said.
"I was actually raped by Golubski and kidnapped and basically raped by Golubski. He took my innocence from me," Houcks said.
The lawsuit is just one of a few others filed against him. The 71-year-old was found dead at his home last week. The same morning he was supposed to stand trial in a federal case against him. A trial where Houcks was ready to testify.
"I wanted to face him and let him know how he actually made me feel all these years," Houcks said.
Instead Wednesday night, Houcks, along with others in the community, got the chance to share their grievances with others but not to local leaders.
"We had invited the mayor, the district attorney, the chief of police and members of the Unified Government Board of Commissioners and they all turned us down to show up here this evening," Steve Kraske said.
Kraske is with KCUR, who held the town hall.
"So much pain so much uncertainty amongst so many people here. I think a lot of it needs to be addressed," he added.
At the forefront of people's concerns, a process of reconciliation, reparations and what does that look like for people whose lives were impacted by Golubski's actions.
"He's always been in charge and he was in charge up until the end. He slapped us in the face yet again," Houcks said.
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Houcks said she's waiting to hear back from a judge on the lawsuit. So far the case is still active as it lists several other existing defendants.
FOX4 did reach out to the officials who were invited. KCKPD responded back saying the chief did not attend because of the pending lawsuits and prior commitments.