January 21, 2023

On Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, plain clothes officers with the Lee’s Summit Crime Reduction Team were working in an area shopping center to apprehend shoplifters. As the officers were coordinating their efforts with one of the businesses, they were alerted to a suspect that was walking out of the store with a large amount of merchandise.

Officers detained the suspect and began their investigation. The investigation would reveal that the suspect had fled the store with approximately $6,500 worth of clothing, electronics, jewelry and cologne. The suspect also showed up that day in a vehicle that was listed as stolen out of Kansas City, MO.

A search of the stolen car would reveal additional stolen items from other retailers and one item that stood out – a large, silver trophy. The engraving on the trophy revealed that it belonged to the late Len Dawson, it was presented to him for his years of “Meritorious Service in Pro Football” in 1976.

Detectives reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs organization who connected them to Dawson’s wife, Linda. Detectives would learn that the trophy was probably stolen sometime in the early 1980’s and Linda was overjoyed to have it back in her possession.