Safe Streets Coalition and Topeka City of Character will be holding a press conference on August 5 at 12:00 noon at the Great Overland Station to announce the recipient of the Champion of Character award for demonstrating character that significantly improves the health, safety and quality of life in the community.
This month’s recipient of the Champion of Character Award is Ed Klumpp, former Chief of Police of the City of Topeka.
Klumpp is being recognized for his many activities that improve safety in the community since his retirement as Chief of Police. Klumpp did not lay back and take it easy on retirement, but rather has dedicated himself to continued community service.
Since leaving the Topeka Police Department, Klumpp has walked the halls of the Statehouse informing legislators on the impact of proposed legislation on public safety as a lobbyist for the Kansas Peace Officers Association and the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. He also is the Vice-Chair of the Kansas Recodification Commission and a member of the proportionality subcommittee for the Kansas Sentencing Commission. He also serves as a member of the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System and Kansas Traffic Records Coordinating Committee. His knowledge of how the criminal code and criminal justice system impact crime in our community has made him a valuable resource in drafting legislation and policies for safer streets.
Klumpp is also active in the community in several civic capacities. He is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving as their financial secretary and on their Neighborhood Care Team, which works with the local Neighborhood Association. He also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Klumpp has a special desire to see good character promoted in the community. He has been active in serving with the Boy Scouts of America, well known for its character-building in youth, and is currently the Vice President of Risk Management for the organization. As President of the Topeka Character Council, he has provided many years of leadership on the Board, spreading the message that good character leads to success.
“Ed Klumpp exemplifies so many great character qualities, it is difficult to narrow it down, but I think he demonstrates extraordinary Dependability, Responsibility and has a sense of Justice”, stated Cindy Patton, Executive Director of Topeka City of Character. “He takes personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right and true.”
The awards are presented by the Kansas Character Recognition Council of Topeka/Shawnee County. Senator Laura Kelly, Mayor William Bunten, City Councilman, Jack Woelfel, Chief of Police Ronald Miller, Shawnee County Commissioners Shelly Buhler and Ted Ensley, Director of Shawnee County Corrections, Richard Kline, District Attorney Chad Taylor and Shawnee County Sheriff Richard Barta are all members of The Kansas Character Recognition Council.
Anyone may make nominations for Character Champions. Nomination forms may be obtained by downloading a form at the Topeka City of Character website at www.topekacityofcharacter.org. Nomination forms may also be found at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Capital Journal office or by calling the Topeka City of Character office at 273-4330.
Future press conferences recognizing Character Champions will be set for the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon at the Great Overland Station immediately preceding the Safe Streets monthly meeting.
For further information about the Character Recognition Initiative, contact Cindy Patton, Topeka City of Character office, 534 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 820, Phone: 640-7403, Fax: 354-1901 or email: topekacityofcharacter@gmail.com.