15 OLATHE OFFICERS HONORED FOR LIFE-SAVING ACTS AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

15 OLATHE OFFICERS HONORED FOR LIFE-SAVING ACTS AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

Twelve Olathe police officers were recognized for saving or sustaining lives, and three others earned Bronze Awards for exceptional acts of duty at the metro’s annual Awards for Valor ceremony.

The 15 officers were honored Thursday, Nov. 12, at the 55th annual Metropolitan Chiefs & Sheriffs Association ceremony at Argosy Casino in Riverside, Missouri. More than 70 officers from across the Kansas City area received awards.

The Olathe Police Department announced the recognition in a Facebook post celebrating the officers’ “valorous and life-saving acts.”

“We’re proud of our officers and what they do to keep our citizens safe!” the department wrote.

OLATHE’S LIFE-SAVING AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Life-saving Award recognizes an officer’s actions in saving or sustaining a human life. Olathe’s 12 recipients were:

• Capt. Carl Anderson
• Sgt. John Built
• Sgt. Robert McKeirnan
• Officer Alaric Aumann
• Officer Brighton Ballmer
• Officer Jackson Nicodemus
• Officer Kyle Battin
• Officer Erik Clark
• Officer Kendall Clark
• Officer Nicholas Lewis
• Officer Jeffrey Melton
• Officer Carter Williams

OLATHE’S BRONZE AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Bronze Award recognizes an exceptional act of duty that brings credit to the officer and the officer’s agency. Olathe’s three recipients were:

• Officer Benjamin Abel
• Officer Alexander Campbell
• Officer Garrett Mumphrey Jr.

The names and award categories were included in FOX4’s report on the ceremony.

The department’s Facebook announcement did not describe the individual incidents behind the awards.

ERIK CLARK AMONG THOSE RECOGNIZED

One of this year’s Life-saving Award recipients, Officer Erik Clark, previously received national recognition for his response to the March 4, 2022, shooting at Olathe East High School.

According to the National Association of School Resource Officers, school administrators summoned Clark to an office to help with a search of a potentially armed student. The student opened fire, wounding Clark and an administrator. Clark returned fire and stopped the attack. All three survived their injuries.

The association selected Clark for its 2022 National Award of Valor, recognizing his actions during the school shooting.

Clark also provided first aid to the wounded assistant principal. The department’s announcement of this year’s awards did not identify the incident associated with his latest honor.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OLATHE’S SCHOOL OFFICERS

The awards follow another honor for Olathe police earlier this year. The National Association of School Resource Officers selected the department as one of 11 recipients of its 2026 Model School Resource Officer Agency Award.

That recognition considers a department’s training, policies and standards, along with creative approaches to policing in schools. It reflects the association’s model of officers serving as informal counselors, public safety educators and law enforcement officers.

The national association announced Olathe’s selection in April, with the awards scheduled for presentation during its June conference in Reno, Nevada.

In remarks about that honor, Police Chief Mike Butaud credited Olathe’s school resource officers with mentoring young people and working with the school district to maintain a safe learning environment. He said the recognition reflected the department’s commitment to the school community and the city.

METRO CEREMONY RECOGNIZES ACTIONS UNDER DANGER

The regional ceremony also honored retired Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Jason Green with a Gold Award and Officer of the Year recognition.

According to the Highway Patrol, Green was involved in a November 2025 pursuit that began near Liberty. A passenger in the fleeing car fired at law enforcement officers, and Green’s patrol vehicle was struck. Four people were eventually taken into custody. No officers or bystanders were hit by gunfire.

The Highway Patrol announced Green’s recognition Nov. 13, crediting his courage and actions during the pursuit.

Olathe’s announcement focused on the 15 members of its own department recognized alongside their metro-area colleagues.

“Congrats on your well-deserved awards!” the department wrote.

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