Kansas Congressional Delegation Honors Olathe East High School Heroes

Introduced Resolutions to Recognize Life-Saving Actions of SRO Erik Clark and Assistant Principal Kaleb Stoppel

(Washington, D.C., March 11, 2022) – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Jerry Moran, alongside U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03), Tracey Mann (KS-01), and Jake LaTurner (KS-02) introduced resolutions to recognize the heroic actions of Olathe East High School School Resource Officer (SRO) Erik Clark and Assistant Principal Kaleb Stoppel on Friday, March 4, 2022.

“Last week, Officer Clark and Dr. Stoppel acted swiftly and bravely to protect students and teachers from an active shooter at Olathe East High School. Their heroic actions no doubt saved lives and deserve to be recognized here in Congress,” said Sen. Marshall. “I thank them for their valiant service in the face of danger and continue to pray for healing and comfort for everyone in the Olathe East family following this unfortunate event.”

“The heroic actions and quick response of Officer Clark and Dr. Stoppel saved lives at Olathe East High School last Friday,” said Sen. Moran. “The outpouring of support for the Olathe East community has been inspiring, and this resolution is one more way in which we can honor the actions they took to protect others and thank them for the love, care and sacrifice they showed towards their students and fellow educators.”

“This was a traumatic event for our community, and my heart is with every parent, student, educator, and Kansan as we help each other move forward. I know I am joined by many of those community members in my gratitude for the actions of Officer Erik Clark and assistant principal Kaleb Stoppel, and we are all hoping for their full recovery,” said Rep. Sharice Davids. “I’m glad to join my Kansas colleagues to recognize and commend their bravery.”

“Officer Clark and Dr. Stoppel selflessly protected their students and colleagues,” said Rep. Mann. “Offering our sincerest thanks and gratitude to these heroic individuals is just one small way to pay tribute to their courageous actions. God bless them both.”

“I am extremely grateful for the heroic actions of Officer Erik Clark and Assistant Principal Kaleb Stoppel last week. There is no question that their sacrifice and bravery saved the lives of innocent students and staff at Olathe East High School,” said Rep. LaTurner. “I continue to pray for the entire Olathe East community as they recover from this tragic incident and want to thank my colleagues for introducing this resolution to honor these two selfless Kansans.”

Full text of the resolution can be found here or below.

Whereas, on Friday, March 4, 2022, 2 employees of Olathe East High School in Olathe, Kansas, Administrator Dr. Kaleb Stoppel (referred to in this preamble as “Dr. Stoppel”) and School Resource Officer Erik Clark (referred to in this preamble as “Officer Clark”), were shot and wounded while engaging with an armed student;

Whereas the decision of Dr. Stoppel to remove the student from class and the swift response of Officer Clark to neutralize the student after he began shooting prevented the loss of innocent lives at Olathe East High School;

Whereas Officer Clark has been a school resource officer at Olathe East High School for 7 years and a law enforcement officer for 15 years; and

Whereas Dr. Stoppel has been an Assistant Principal and the Athletic Director of Olathe East High School for nearly 4 years and an educator for nearly 13 years: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

• commends Administrator Dr. Kaleb Stoppel and School Resource Officer Erik Clark for their heroic actions to protect students and staff of Olathe East High School; and

• recognizes Administrator Dr. Kaleb Stoppel and School Resource Officer Erik Clark for their years of dedication and service to their community as an educator and a member of law enforcement, respectively.

# # #