OTTAWA – Franklin County Deputy Russel Geist, 28, died Wednesday, Sheriff Jeff Curry said. Geist fell ill while performing his duties as a uniformed deputy at 7:30 a.m., Curry said. He was taken to Ransom Memorial Hospital. He died at 10 p.m., Curry said. The cause of death isn’t known, he said. Geist started working for the department as a corrections officer in the adult detention center on April 25, 2005. He worked his way up and was promoted to deputy Sept. 21, 2010. He graduated from the Kansa Law Enforcement Training Center on May 6. “Russel was living his dream as a law enforcment officer and was an invaluable member of this office,” Curry said. Geist is the son of retired Ottawa detective Rick Geist, who recently retired after 30 years with the Ottawa Police Department. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thursday, Oct. 13, 8:45 a.m.; updated 2 p.m.
