9/22/2009
By ERIN MATHEWS/Salina Journal
The death of a 38-year-old rural Solomon man is being investigated as a homicide.

Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said Steven J. Bettles, 9041 E. Shipton, was found dead of a gunshot wound by family members who were checking on his welfare shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday. They called the sheriff's office.

The body was found in a house trailer behind the main house on Bettles' property, Kochanowski said.

Bettles, who had been employed as an over-the-road semitrailer driver for Great Plains Trucking, is believed to have died about two days before his body was found, Kochanowski said.

Kochanowski said an autopsy "gave us information we needed" to determine the death was suspicious. He declined to say whether Bettles had been shot more than once or to give any more information about his injuries.

He said Saline County sheriff's deputies are working with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Salina Police Department to investigate the death.

Sherwin Fast, president of Great Plains Trucking, said Bettles was a great employee and would be missed.

Bettles worked as one of 60 truck drivers who deliver farm machinery manufactured at Great Plains to customers across the country. Fast said Bettles was off work Monday last week and did not show up for work Tuesday.

Company representatives became concerned and contacted family members, he said.

Bettles had driven a truck for Great Plains for a year and a half. Before that, he worked for about eight years at Great Plains Manufacturing, Fast said.

Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, of Abilene, is handling arrangements. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

n Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by e-mail at emathews@salina.com.