Unexpected Encounter in Kiowa County: John Waite Pulled Over by Kansas Deputies
KIOWA COUNTY, Kansas (July 25, 2025) — In a surprising turn of events, sheriff’s deputies made an unexpected traffic stop on a Kansas highway, only to discover that they had pulled over John Waite, the iconic pop-rock star from the 1980s, along with his band.
Sergeant Justin Rugg initiated the stop as the group was en route to Dodge City for a performance at the United Wireless Arena. Rugg, a devoted fan of Waite, was unable to contain his excitement during the encounter.
“I’m not just on cloud nine—I’m like on cloud twelve!” Rugg exclaimed after meeting the English singer, famed for hits such as "Missing You" and "When I See You Smile."
The Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office embraced the amusing moment, sharing a lighthearted post on social media where they referred to Waite as a “cool guy” and expressed gratitude for the chance to snap a photo with Rugg.
Reflecting on the incident, Waite took to his official Facebook page, noting that their vehicle was "pulled over for speeding" and calling the sergeant a "good guy cop."
As the band continued their journey, deputies wished them a “rockin’ time” at their upcoming concert.
John Waite’s music career began in the 1970s as the lead vocalist and bassist for The Babys, a band that later disbanded following an event where Waite was forcibly removed from the stage by a fervent fan during an encore. This incident resulted in a serious knee injury, according to his official website.
Following that, Waite embarked on a successful solo career throughout the 1980s, later forming the supergroup Bad English with former bandmates from The Babys, including Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips, alongside Journey guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo. Though the band disbanded a few years later, Waite’s solo pursuits continued to thrive.
His current tour includes several stops across the U.S. until November, with cities like Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Louisville on the itinerary.