Alvin "Al" John Thimmesch

Al Thimmesch, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on September 16, 2026, at 86, leaving behind a large, loving family, a wealth of friends, lifetime of memories, and a legacy that will live on through the many people who loved him.

Al and his wife Sharon celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in April 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Thimmesch, his brothers Frank Thimmesch, Tim Thimmesch, Marc Thimmesch, Ronnie Thimmesch, sister Rose Barbeau, and grandson Josh Hunt.

Al is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Cathy (Guy) Schroeder, Debra Thimmesch, Melisa Hunt, and Darin (Tara) Thimmesch; his grandchildren, Andie (Alex) Rice-Tanner, Jacob Hunt, Jillian (Keynan) Gibson, Jared (Brenda) Schroeder, Ian Clark, Ethan Thimmesch, Lauren (Ethan) Mullen, Luke Thimmesch; his great-grandchildren, Lucy Rice-Tanner, Emily Rice-Tanner, Jaxon Schroeder, Adilee Schroeder, Jasper Schroeder, Aiden Davis, Ella Davis, Elise Davis, and Gemma Mullen.

Everyone who knew Al understood how much his family, friends, community, and colleagues meant to him. Al joined the Wichita Police Department in 1961 and rose through the ranks, eventually retiring in 1988 as Deputy Chief of Police. He dedicated his professional life to the pursuit of justice and his career in law enforcement was one of tremendous distinction. Besides earning the respect of countless other members of the law enforcement and justice communities, he was honored on a local, state, and national level. He attended the FBI Academy and was a member of the National Chiefs of Police and the Kansas Peace Officers Association.

Al was frequently interviewed by and featured in the media, including on a state, national, and international level, as well as documentary film makers, for the diligence with which he pursued some of the major cases of his career. Al was one of those courageous people who tirelessly kept watch for all of us, who cared deeply, and took his myriad of roles as a community leader seriously but also with his legendary sense of humor.

Following his career with the Wichita Police Department, Al went on to serve as the long-time Secretary-Treasurer for the Kansas Peace Officers Association for 35 years before fully retiring from that role in 2019. He also managed the Wichita Police Benefit Fund from 1988 to 2013.

Al loved spending time with friends and family, and his hobbies and pastimes were many, including fishing, golfing, hunting, playing cards regularly with friends, and watching sports, whether college, professional, or the many games and matches of his children and grandchildren. He loved his Jayhawks, his Royals, his Chiefs, and anyone who knew him well knew how passionately he watched and cheered. He could grill a steak to absolute perfection and his chicken fried steak was a family favorite. He loved his long succession of non-human family members as well and only recently lost two – Molly and Lily.

Memorials have been established with The Lord’s Diner, 520 North Broadway Wichita, Kansas 67214 and the Law Enforcement Memorial of Sedgwick County, c/o Wichita Police Department, 455 North Main, Wichita, Kansas 67201.

Al’s family has been surrounded with love and support by so many friends and family and are inviting those who can attend his celebration of life services:

The rosary is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. both at Church of the Holy Spirit, 18218 US-54, Goddard, Kansas 67052.

The graveside service will follow 30 minutes later at Resurrection Cemetery, 1640 North Maize Road, Wichita, Kansas.

After the graveside service, guests are invited to attend a luncheon at the community hall at Church of the Holy Spirit.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.