CONTENTS VOL. 30, NO. 3, FALL 2012

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1 Kansas State Troopers Association Executive Board President Mitch Mellick Vice President Keith Scott Secretary Dale Patrick Treasurer Merl Ney Sergeant-At-Arms Lee Jantz Board of Directors Troop A Curt Gabbert Troop B Bryan Clark Troop C Mario Rios Troop D Doug Carr Troop E Steven Sites Troop F Dave Golden Troop G Mark Christesen Troop H John Keene Troop I Steve Harvey Troop J Jeff Patrick Troop K Crystal Sturgeon Troop MC David Bales Retirees Representative Don Dody Executive Vice President Steve Kearney Editor Mary Napier editor@kstroopers.com Advertising Office CONTENTS VOL. 30, NO. 3, FALL 2012 Features KTF Scholarship Winners...12 New KSTA Website Launched...13 New KSTA Board Members...14 Legislature Expands Efforts to Protect Children...21 Senate Resolution Honors Patrol's 75 Years...22 Police Week 2012 Brings Us Together To Recognize and Remember...24 KHP's MCSAP Replenishing Instructors...26 KSTA Supports O.K. Kids Day Program...27 Capitol Police - Troop K Communications Feature...28 High School Students Learn About Being a Trooper...29 C.A.S.T For Kids KHP News...33 Departments President's Message...4 Colonel s Corner...6 Executive VP's Message...9 Chaplain s Message...10 On the Cover Troopers listen as Senate President Steve Morris recognizes the KHP's 75th Anniversary Proclamation. Photo courtesy of KHP The Kansas Trooper Published quarterly by the Kansas State Troopers Association 1200 SW 10th Avenue Topeka, KS Fax: Snapshots from Troopers...35 Business Directory...36 Advertisers Index...38 The Kansas Trooper All rights reserved. Photocopying, reproduction, or quotation strictly prohibited without the written consent from the editor or Editorial Board. Unsolicited material and/or correspondence cannot be acknowledged or returned, and becomes the property of the Kansas Trooper. Kansas Trooper ı 3

2 SENATE RESOLUTION HONORS PATROL S 75 YEARS On Thursday, May 3, 2012, multiple members of the Kansas Highway Patrol attended the presentation of Senate Resolution 1870, congratulating and commending the Patrol on 75 years of service to the citizens of Kansas. An excerpt of the resolution reads: WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished values, worthy of safeguarding. The Kansas Highway Patrol has preserved and protected such values with unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of their duties; and WHEREAS, The Kansas Highway Patrol s history is replete with commendations for innovation, expertise in criminal investigations, traffic enforcement and accommodation to continuing technological advances in the law enforcement industry. Members of the Kansas Highway Patrol have served the citizens of Kansas with great distinction and honor, exhibiting unparalleled professionalism and excellence for the past 75 years; and WHEREAS, Members of the Kansas Highway Patrol have faced extremely dangerous situations, doing so with bravery, while protecting themselves and others. The extensive training, experience and strong will of the Kansas Highway Patrol has enabled the agency to respond to major accidents and natural disasters occurring throughout the state; and Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That we congratulate and commend the Kansas Highway Patrol for its 75 years of service, protection and dedication to the citizens of the state of Kansas. Kansas citizens have come to rely on these valiant law enforcement officers in times of civil disorder or personal distress and their trust has been well founded. We are indeed fortunate and grateful for the contributions of the members of the Kansas Highway Patrol to the people of this state; and Be it further resolved: That we pay tribute to the Kansas Highway Patrol for 75 years of selfless dedication, devotion and commitment of the highest caliber in providing service, public safety and law enforcement to the residents and visitors of the great state of Kansas; To view the resolution in its entirety, visit: kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/year2/measures/documents/ sr1870_enrolled.pdf or view it on the next page. 22 ı Kansas Trooper

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4 Police Week 2012 Brings Us Together To Recognize and Remember By Bryan Clark Trooper, K-443 Police week was a term that I had never heard until this and Minnesota. It amazed me how these men were such past year. good friends when for most of the year they are separated In December, Atchison Police Sergeant David by hundreds or thousands of miles. The dinner conversation Enzbrenner was shot and killed. Sergeant Enzbrenner had reminded me of the ones we have while on break here in been with the Atchison Police Department for 24 years Kansas. They were true brothers as they know about each and was one of my sergeants when I worked at the police other s family, troubles, and of course, golf skills. department. In the weeks following Sergeant Enzbrenner s The next morning, I walked to the Law Enforcement death, I started to learn about police week. I was told that Memorial Wall. It s hard to put into words the emotion there is a candlelight vigil and a ceremony on the White that comes from seeing this wall for the first time. The wall House lawn in mid-may. It made me wonder why it was was lined with photos, posters, cards, candles, and other called Police Week if there were only these two events. I mementos. These items line the wall for one week out of soon found out it was much more. the year, made by family, friends, or co-workers to honor It all started on the flight to Washington D.C. I was their officer. It is overwhelming to see the names of so seated next to a gentlemen flying home to Washington D.C. many craved into the wall, each telling the story of a fallen He was a criminal investigator for the United States Food hero. and Drug Administration. He was just months away from I was lucky enough to be able to run the National retirement after 25 years of service. Prior to working for Police 5K Memorial Run. The race began and ended in the U.S.D.A., he had worked for a police department in front of the memorial wall and passed the capital building. the suburbs of Washington 2,200 cops and their families D.C. During the two-hour participated in the run. I was flight we talked about work, fascinated by the fact that each family, and the culture of law participant s race bib displayed enforcement. He told me the a thin blue line and was places to visit and the places dedicated in memory of a fallen to stay away from while in officer; mine was in memory of D.C. We landed and went Sergeant Enzbrenner. our separate ways, but not I was again surrounded before he invited me back to by troopers from other states Washington with my family for lunch. I was able to meet for a long stay. This was just Sheila Hall. Sheila s husband the beginning of a week of was Connecticut Trooper First fellowship and brotherhood. Class Kenneth Hall. Trooper On the first night, I was Hall was killed by a driver high able to go to dinner with Master Trooper Mitch Mellick (left) and Trooper Bryan Clark on drugs in September troopers from New York, (right) spent time getting to know Connecticut Troopers Jim This was Sheila s second year New Jersey, South Carolina, Matlock and Craig Jones during Police Week attending Police Week. It 24 ı Kansas Trooper

5 stuck with me when Sheila talked about the Connecticut State Police. She told me that they had become her family and if she needed anything they were there. The accident had happened close to the Massachusetts state line and Trooper Hall was flown to a hospital in Massachusetts. Before any Connecticut Trooper could get to the hospital, Massachusetts State Police had troopers by the side Trooper Hall. This made the term family seem even more appropriate. The Candlelight Vigil was nothing short of amazing. All that could be seen were cops from around the country and the world standing side by side. Some were there because they had lost a partner recently, some were there because they had lost someone in the past, and others were there simply to honor the fallen. During the vigil, a laser shined a thin blue line across the sky and into the distance. The names of the fallen officers who were added to the wall Trooper Bryan Clark (left) and Master Trooper Mitch Mellick (right) with Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson (center). this year were read aloud to the immense crowd. I have always known of a special bond between troopers, but I never realized how far nation s capital. the brotherhood extends. As I walked On Tuesday, the memorial ceremony down the streets of D.C., I met troopers was held on the White House lawn. Looking from all around the country. When around at the massive crowd, there were we would meet, we would introduce uniforms as far as the eye could see. Troopers ourselves and instantly a new friendship from all across the United States, even was formed. We shared stories, Alaska, were there to honor the fallen. There exchanged patches and cards, and even were also several from agencies outside of took a few photos. the US. The ceremony only lasted for a The remainder of the next couple At the Law Enforcement Memorial short time, but the fellowship lasted much days was spent with our new brothers Candlelight vigil, a thin blue light longer. from Connecticut. We talked about shines in the sky. Attending National Police Week has how the job differed from Connecticut been one of the highlighting moments in to Kansas. They made fun of our slow pace rural patrol, my career thus far. This experience was not only a serious and we returned the favor with comments about the accent. reminder of the reality of our profession, but also a look As we walked around the city, everywhere we went, we saw into the brotherhood of troopers and law enforcement hundreds of law enforcement officers. Most were wearing officers alike. I d like to thank the Kansas State Troopers a shirt that showed a badge or a small blue line, reminding Association for allowing me to attend Police Week. I was me that this week was more than just a couple days in the honored to represent our state at such a great event. IT IS NOT HOW THESE OFFICERS DIED THAT MADE THEM HEROES IT IS HOW THEY LIVED Kansas and California Troopers stand in front of the U.S. Capitol building. Kansas Troopers with a London, England Police Officer in Washington, D.C. Kansas Trooper ı 25