DEPUTY EARNS AWARD FOR JAIL FIRE HANDLING

JACKSON - A Cape Girardeau County deputy sheriff received the Timothy J. Ruopp Award Thursday for his efforts in evacuating inmates during a fire in the county jail last year.

The award for outstanding and distinguished service in law enforcement at the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department was presented to Deputy Sheriff Kendall Hampton. Sheriff Norman Copeland presented the award.

The award is named after a former Cape Girardeau County sheriff's deputy and is the only award the sheriff's department gives. Ruopp, 31, was shot and killed in September 1984 while employed as a police officer in San Diego.

About 35 people attended the ceremony Thursday, including Ruopp's widow, Kathy, and his father, Dr. Dudley Ruopp.

Hampton, 25, of Cape Girardeau was selected by Copeland for the award because of his actions during a Jan. 29, 1991 fire in the county jail. The fire occurred when an inmate ignited a mattress in his cell.

The fire forced the evacuation of the jail's inmates and four inmates were treated for smoke inhalation.

"The emergency situation was secured and coordinated in a timely manner," said Leonard Hines, the department's chief deputy. "He did everything by the book. He just did a really, really good job."

Hines said, "Sheriff Copeland did say how important the award is and that it exemplifies the feelings of law enforcement personnel for one another, and that he was really proud to have him working for our department."

Hampton said he was surprised to receive the award.

"I didn't have any idea I would get it. It's probably one of the biggest things that has happened to me for a while.

"It more or less pertains to Timothy Ruopp. He put his life on the line and it's an honor to get something like that."

Ruopp was shot in the face in San Diego's Balboa Park while responding to a drinking violation. Ruopp's partner, a 24-year-old woman officer, was also fatally shot.

Hines said the department began giving the award in 1984. With the department having so many good employees, he said, it "gets kind of rough" to pick a recipient for the award.

The first Ruopp award was presented to Lt. Ron Johnson, now the investigator with the Public Defender's office, said Hines. Sgt. Robert Scott received the award last year.

Hampton, originally of Hayti in the Missouri Bootheel, joined the sheriff's department in April 1989. Hines said Hampton has worked in the jail division since then.

Hampton said he plans eventually to go back to college when he can work it around his schedule. He formerly attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, where he was majoring in criminal justice.