Members of Congress honor Olathe East's assistant principal and SRO one week after shooting

Kansas members of Congress say they've introduced resolutions in Washington, D.C. to honor Olathe East's school resource officer and assistant principal.

The pair are set to be honored just seven days after both School Resource Officer Erik Clark and Assistant Principal Kaleb were injured in a shooting involving an armed student.

Sen. Roger Marshall, Sen. Jerry Moran, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rep. Jake LaTurner and Rep. Tracey Mann joined together as a congressional delegation to introduce resolutions for both men.

"The heroic actions and quick response of Officer Clark and Dr. Stoppel saved lives at Olathe East High School last Friday," said Moran in a press release Friday.

The Republican's sentiments were echoed by a Democrat, Davids, in the release.

"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," Davids said.

The press release also included statements from the other members of the delegation; they can be read in full below:

[Full press release from Moran]

Olathe East High School student 18-year-old Jaylon Elmore was taken to the office on suspicion of carrying a gun in his backpack. It's there he is suspected of refusing to give up the firearm and opening fire. He has been charged with attempted capital murder in the incident.

Elmore, already the subject of a felony robbery charge, is believed to have used a ghost gun in the incident.

Clark and Stoppel were treated at a hospital and released hours later for their gunshot wounds. Elmore remains hospitalized and in critical condition following the shooting and was unable to attend his initial court proceedings. Fortunately, no one else was injured during the shooting.

The full resolution made by the delegation:

"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."

Although both the SRO and assistant principal remain at home recovering, students and staff returned to the high school on Monday.