Family of pair slain by Veterans Affairs officer reaches settlement with feds

(CN) — A woman who blamed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs police officials in Kansas for the killings of her daughter and grandson agreed to a settlement Tuesday with the federal government.

The lawsuit was filed in connection to the death of her daughter, Dominique McGeachy, and her daughter’s 12-year-old son, Jerel McGeachy Jr., at the hands of her estranged husband, Jerel McGeachy Sr., a VA police officer.

Details of the settlement and the approval process were not immediately available. Emailed messages to attorneys representing both the federal government and Michelle Smith, Dominique McGeachy’s mother, were not returned.

Attorneys for both parties told U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer B. Wieland of the settlement in a telephonic status conference on Tuesday morning.

Smith will file two motions for apportioning the proceeds no later than July 18. Another telephonic status conference is scheduled for Sept. 8, according to court records.

According to Smith, Dominique McGeachy secured a protection order in March 2024 against Jerel McGeachy, a police officer at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, following months of repeated threats.

Jerel McGeachy’s supervisors at the Medical Center confiscated his service weapon, but still allowed him access to the department’s armory. One morning, he entered that armory, retrieved a weapon, traveled to Dominique McGeachy’s home in and used it to kill her and their 12-year-old son, Jerel McGeachy Jr. Jerel McGeachy then took his own life.

Smith says in the lawsuit that the VA knew Jerel McGeachy was a threat to his wife and son and was negligent in allowing him access to the armory and his duty weapon. The VA’s negligence was “the direct and proximate cause” of their deaths. She sought a judgment of $10 million.

The Office of Special Counsel investigation identified other security deficiencies. Disciplinary action was taken against the police chief, deputy chief and a lieutenant, all of whom are no longer with the department.

The Palmer Law Group of Topeka, Kansas, represents Smith. The federal government is represented by the U.S. attorneys in Kansas City, Kansas, and Wichita.

Local media in the Kansas City area reported that Dominique McGeachy served as a captain in the U.S. Army and as a VA nurse in Leavenworth. An online obituary noted at the time of her death, she was on the verge of receiving a doctorate in nursing practice.

Jerel McGeachy Jr. was known for his public speaking skills. Kansas City station KHSB reported he had skipped a grade and honored his mother during an address on Veterans Day.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.

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