Kansas/Western Missouri
The prestigious Clarence M. Kelley award was given to Executive Director Gary Steed, NA Session 231, during the Kansas-Western Missouri Chapter Spring Retrainer on April 25, 2019 in Wichita, KS. The award is given to a deserving Chapter member that has established a ‘dedication to an exemplary career in law enforcement’. Gary is currently the Executive Director of the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training and has been in law enforcement over 45 years serving his community. A quote of Gary’s that was read during his presentation includes, “While I enjoy the camaraderie at our conferences, it is the strengthening of relationships and the exchange of knowledge that is the foundation of our Association.” Congrats to Gary on receiving the spring CMK award!
Retirements
Undersheriff Phil Blume, NA Session 244, retired on July 1, 2019 with 30 years of service! Phil has served with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office during his entire career and accomplished many things! He was the first person to achieve every rank and work/supervise all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, including interim Sheriff. Phil was also the first person to have served as an intern from Washburn University and gone on to be hired by Shawnee County. He was one of the three original officers to implement the School Resource Officer program, the first Polygraph Examiner for his department, and an original member of the Kansas Narcotics Officers Association. Phil has served on numerous Boards and committees throughout his career. He served on a Task Force in 1995 and received letters of appreciation from the FBI and ATF for his efforts. Phil plans on truly retiring and enjoy some time off before moving on to his next career! Congrats and thank you for your many years of service to your community!
Deputy Chief Tyrone Garner, NA Session 234, retired on June 19, 2019 with 22 years of service with the Kansas City, KS Police Department. Tyrone spent his entire career with KCKPD and worked his way up through the ranks, including his start as a cadet, and serving as the interim Assistant Chief before being promoted to Deputy Chief. He has served in many different capacities and organizations including the University of Kansas Medical Center Pediatrics Ethics Committee, KCK Community College Board of Trustees, AdHoc Group Against Crime Board, KCK Housing Authority Board, Governor appointee as the State of Kansas 3rd District Commissioner for the Kansas African American Affairs Commission, Wyandotte County Community Corrections Board, Wyandotte County Juvenile Corrections Board, University of Kansas Thryve Committee focused on youth and many more! Tyrone has received numerous awards and distinctions over his career as well! He will be continuing to look for future professional and career opportunities and we wish him the very best! Thank you for all of your service to the KCK community….we wish you the best!!
Lt. Tim Lowry, NA Session 270, retired on June 17, 2019 with 30 years of service with the Warrensburg, MO Police Department. Tim served his entire career with Warrensburg PD and will be the Director of the University of Central Missouri Police Academy upon retirement! Congrats and good luck heading up the Police Academy!!
Chief Rob McClarty, NA Session 261, retired on June 25, 2019 with nearly 32 total years of service as an officer in Kansas. Rob began his career as a part of the Posse and Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office until 1991 He then served for the next 20 years with the Hutchinson, KS PD working his way up through the ranks in various divisions and was an Instructor of Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Chemical, ASP Baton, and TASER. He was also an active member of the Special Operations Team (Operator, Team Leader) as the Team Commander for the Hutchinson/Reno County Emergency Response Team for nine years. Since 2011, Rob has been the appointed Police Chief for the City of McPherson, KS. Rob received the Bronze Medal of Merit from the Wichita PD for efforts surrounding a tactical operation (2013), recognized by the FBI Academy Chief for his leadership during his FBI NA Class (2015) in Response to the Texas Governors’ call for unity, Commencement Speaker for the 253 Graduating Class of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (2018), and recognized as the Officer of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his professional service to his community (2019). He has been an active member and numerous Board positions including Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP), University of Kansas Law Enforcement Leadership Academy Advisory Board, Hutchinson Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Kansas Peace Officers Association (KPOA), National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), Kansas State Fair Foundation, Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Board, Kansas Freemasonry, Grand York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Blue Lodges. Rob is truly retiring and looking forward to the next chapter of his life with a little bit of off time and enjoying life!!
Major Curtis Nicholson, NA Session 244, retired on June 19, 2019 with 30 years of service! Curt worked one year with the Wyandotte County, KS Sheriff’s Office before joining the Kansas City, KS Police Department for the past 29 years. He worked his way up through the ranks and will be retiring as the Major over the Violent Crimes Taskforce. Curt plans to start a second career and continue to be involved in his church. Thank you for your many years of service and we wish you the best in your retirement!