Special Olympian gets boost from fire, police

Fort Scott police and fire department staff honored Tri-Valley Developmental Services client James Leeper (back row, left) Monday afternoon at the Hawkins Public Safety Building. Leeper will play basketball in an upcoming Special Olympics event in Pittsburg. Also pictured are (back row, from left) FSPD Chief Ron Puterbaugh and FSFD firefighters Derek Early and Michael Miles. (Middle row, from left) Leeper, FSPD officer Craig Rice and FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton. (Front row, from left) FSPD dispatcher Sarah Karleskint, FSPD Dispatch and Records Supervisor Traci McCoy and FSPD officer Ben Cole. (Submitted Photo)

James Leeper recently received some encouragement from local emergency personnel before he participates in a Special Olympics event later this month in Pittsburg.

Fort Scott Police and Fort Scott Fire Department employees honored Leeper, a client at Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Monday afternoon at the Hawkins Public Safety Building. Staff met with Leeper to celebrate and present him with a basketball signed by police and fire personnel.

Leeper will be playing basketball at the upcoming Southeast Basketball and Cheerleading event on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Weede Building at Pittsburg State University.

"The Special Olympics is a wonderful program," FSPD Chief Ron Puterbaugh said. "We wanted to encourage him before he goes down to compete. We appreciate being a part of it."

Puterbaugh said when he and other personnel found out Leeper, a "big sports fan," would be playing basketball in a Special Olympics event, the idea came about to have everyone sign a basketball for him.

Leeper assists police and fire departments at the Hawkins Public Safety Building by performing light janitorial duties and also helps out during special events in the city. He has been assisting the city since 1996.

"You can always find him in a fire truck during a parade," Puterbaugh said.