Lawrence man convicted in aggravated battery of an off-duty law enforcement officer

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Zachary T. Maddux, 19, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery for striking an off-duty law enforcement officer with a tire iron. 

“Public safety is a fundamental right for each of us in our community,” District Attorney Valdez said. “My office will continue our efforts to ensure that this right is protected.”

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on November 4, 2022, when a group of teens that included Maddux assaulted an off-duty Lawrence Kansas Police Department officer as he walked along Bob Billings Parkway near Legend Trail Drive. The officer, who was struck on his head with the tire iron, was able to get away from the group and seek treatment for his injuries. 

Sentencing was set by Judge Stacey Donovan for 3 p.m., on August 23, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Maddux faces between 38 and 172 months in prison. Maddux also must register as a violent offender for 15 years. 

Deputy District Attorney David Greenwald and Senior Assistant District Attorney Ricardo Leal represented the State of Kansas. The matter was investigated by the Lawrence Kansas Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.