Jackson County Announces Another Investigation Into Worker Death

Earlier today we talked about this on www.TonysKansasCity.com and now we've got an update on how the courthouse will handle the situation moving forward.

In fairness, we simply want to share the latest word given to media moments ago . .  .

Jackson County announces second independent investigation following tragic incident

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The tragic loss of Everett Carter, a long-serving member of Jackson County’s Public Works team, has deeply impacted our community. Our thoughts remain with his family, friends and colleagues as we navigate this difficult time together.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has completed its investigation and determined that the incident was a tragic accident. While we accept their findings, Jackson County has requested an independent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor to further examine all aspects of the incident. This step reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability and the safety of every county associate.

“Everett Carter was more than an employee—he was part of the Jackson County family,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “For 40 years, Everett dedicated himself to serving this community with quiet strength and steadfast commitment. We owe it to him, his family and all of our associates to learn from this tragedy and ensure we are doing everything possible to keep our team safe.”

Anytime an accident occurs—especially one as devastating as this—it is essential to take a comprehensive look at every aspect of our operations. We owe it to our team and community to ensure that we are doing everything possible to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Unfortunately, there have been some misstatements and misunderstandings surrounding this tragedy in recent days. While it’s natural for such an event to prompt questions and reflection, Jackson County remains focused on supporting Mr. Carter’s family, friends and colleagues in Public Works. Our priority is honoring his memory and ensuring a thoughtful and thorough review of our operations to prevent future tragedies.

“Everett was an extraordinary part of our Public Works team,” said Public Works Director Brian Gaddie. “His decades of experience and dedication were invaluable to our operations and his loss leaves a void that cannot be filled. As we grieve, we remain committed to doing everything we can to honor Everett and protect our team moving forward.”

Jackson County encourages anyone with information that may assist in this review to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Department of Labor or Jackson County directly. Your input is invaluable in ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation.

The County would also like to share details regarding the services planned to honor Mr. Carter. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Newcomer's Noland Road Chapel located at 509 S. Noland Road in Independence, MO. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., with a committal service immediately after at Appleton City Cemetery, 13500 NW 1000 Road in Appleton City, MO. We invite his colleagues and the community to join in honoring his legacy and dedication to public service.

The results of the Department of Labor’s independent investigation will be shared publicly and any recommendations for improvements will be implemented promptly.

To his family, friends, and colleagues, we extend our deepest condolences. His decades of service to Jackson County and his unwavering dedication to public safety will never be forgotten. Jackson County remains steadfast in our commitment to transparency, learning from this tragedy and ensuring a safe and supportive work environment for all.

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