Exhibit 5

Exhibit 23.1

                                                   July 5, 2000



Protection One, Inc.
818 South Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612

Dear Sirs:

     I am Corporate Secretary of Western Resources, Inc. and have acted as
legal counsel to Protection One, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the
proposed issue and sale, from time to time, of up to 650,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (hereinafter called the
"Offered Common Stock"), with respect to which the Company is filing a Post-
Effective Amendment to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 to which
Registration Statement this opinion shall be filed as an exhibit. I advise you
that, in my opinion:

     1.  The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     2.  Upon (a) the Amendment to the Registration Statement becoming
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, and (b) full payment for the
Offered Common Stock, the Offered Common Stock will be legally issued, validly
outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and the holders thereof will be
entitled to the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, as set forth in
the Company's Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

     I hereby consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as an exhibit to
said Registration Statement. I also consent to the use of my name and the
making of the statements with respect to myself in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus constituting a part thereof.

                                                   Very truly yours,




                                                   /s/ LARRY D. IRICK

                                                   Larry D. Irick, Esq.