By Mack Callahan | This Is Topeka
A ridiculous unofficial holiday meets a very real Shawnee County booking report, proving once again that some people take their frustrations a little too far.
Friday has finally arrived, Topeka, and if you’ve spent the last four days listening to your coworker chew with their mouth open, watching somebody microwave fish in the break room, or receiving emails marked “URGENT” about things that absolutely aren’t urgent, we have some exciting news.
Today, October 23, is National Slap Your Coworker Day.
Yes, apparently that’s a thing.
No, your human resources department probably hasn’t approved it.
And judging by the latest booking report from the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center, local law enforcement has enough on its plate without you turning a disagreement over the office thermostat into a misdemeanor.
Before You Start Swinging, Let’s Check the Jail Report
The latest Shawnee County booking report, printed at 7:43 Friday morning, lists 16 people booked into the detention center during the preceding reporting period.
And while none of those bookings is identified as a workplace-slapping incident, several serve as timely reminders that putting your hands on another person can have consequences considerably more expensive than buying yourself a stress ball.
One particularly relevant entry involves David Ray Cavender, 64, who was booked Thursday morning on a battery allegation described as knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm. The report lists a $2,500 cash bond and shows he was released less than an hour later.
Now, we’re not suggesting Cavender was celebrating National Slap Your Coworker Day a day early. The report says nothing about the circumstances of the alleged incident.
But the timing does provide a convenient reminder: what starts as somebody losing their temper can end with a court date instead of a coffee break.
And that’s a considerably worse way to spend your Friday.
The Rest of Thursday Wasn’t Exactly Peaceful, Either
The detention center’s latest report also included a robbery allegation, domestic battery allegations, drug-related bookings, and two entries involving driving under the influence.
Jarmillya Kaylene Douglas, 41, was booked Thursday evening on allegations that included robbery, felony interference with law enforcement, domestic battery, and theft of less than $1,500. The report listed no bond.
Hector Daniel Xilonzochilt, 23, was booked on a domestic battery allegation and subsequently released, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Tanner Bailey Smith Ferrari, 34, appeared in the report with multiple drug-related allegations, including distribution offenses and unlawfully acquiring proceeds from drug transactions. The report listed a $125,000 bond amount in connection with the allegations.
And because apparently Thursday needed a little of everything, two other bookings involved DUI allegations.
Aiyana J. Lewis, 20, was listed on allegations involving driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol, speeding, and operating without a valid driver’s license, among other matters.
Lizandro Steve Trevino, 21, was also booked on a DUI-related allegation and an improper-passing allegation.
All of these are allegations or booking entries, not findings of guilt. Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
So, How Should You Celebrate?
National Slap Your Coworker Day is one of those unofficial internet holidays that probably sounded hilarious to somebody who had just survived a particularly miserable staff meeting.
And let’s face it, we all know that coworker.
The one who schedules a meeting to discuss whether another meeting is necessary.
The one who replies to every email with “Per my last email.”
The one who steals your lunch from the refrigerator and somehow leaves the empty container behind.
Or the person who says, “Looks like somebody has a case of the Mondays,” at 8:01 on a Friday.
Still, there are better ways to celebrate.
Give your irritating coworker a high-five. Slap a sticky note on their desk. Slap together a sandwich. Slap your forehead when management announces another mandatory team-building exercise.
Just don’t slap an actual person.
Because while National Slap Your Coworker Day might get a laugh on social media, explaining it to a Shawnee County judge is probably going to be a much tougher audience.
A Final Word From Mack
Look, Topeka, we’ve all had those days.
Somebody takes the last cup of coffee without making another pot. Your boss asks you to stay late on Friday. The printer jams for the seventh time, and the person responsible for fixing it is mysteriously unavailable.
But here’s the thing about being an adult: sometimes you just have to smile, nod, and quietly fantasize about winning the lottery so you never have to see these people again.
Besides, the county jail doesn’t have casual Fridays, the coffee probably isn’t any better, and nobody wants to explain to their family that they’re spending the weekend behind bars because Brenda from accounting wouldn’t stop talking about her cats.
So enjoy your Friday, Topeka.
Be nice to your coworkers.
And if you absolutely must slap something today, make it the snooze button tomorrow morning.
Happy National Slap Your Coworker Day. Please celebrate without becoming tomorrow’s booking report.
Editor’s note: Booking information was obtained from the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center’s October 23, 2026, daily report. The report does not establish that any listed incident occurred in a workplace or was connected to the unofficial holiday. Arrests and bookings do not constitute convictions.
