Hampton honors heroes: Late police sergeant receives special recognition at Appreciation Night

Even though a tough football opponent was coming to town, Hampton as a whole had Sept. 13 circled on the calendar for a special pregame ceremony.

“This evening, we celebrate and honor the everyday heroes in our community, from the military, law enforcement and first responders,” Michael Gavlik, school district athletic director, said in greeting the crowd at Fridley Field.

The ceremony, preceding a nonconference game against Upper St. Clair, culminated a week of appreciation at Hampton’s home athletic events for those who serve. A particular individual was on everyone’s mind.

“We wanted to support and celebrate one of our own, Sgt. Robert Kirsopp,” Gavlik said. “The Hampton community continues to stand with the Kirsopp family, and tonight is another extension of that support.”

Kirsopp, a 26-year veteran of the Hampton Police Department, died May 1 at age 52. Prior to his career in local law enforcement, he served as an Army military police officer whose assignments took him to places such as Germany, Somalia and Guantanamo Bay.

“Tonight, the football team is wearing special commemorative jerseys honoring Sgt. Kirsopp,” Gavlik explained, and quite a few people in attendance wore shirts printed with “31,” the sergeant’s Hampton badge number.

Gavlik presented a framed jersey to Kirsopp’s wife, Rosalyn; daughter Rachel, who sang the pregame national anthem; and son Ray, a receiver and defensive back for the Talbots.

“There’s a saying, ‘The hardest battles are given to the strongest soldiers,’” the athletic director said. “I can’t of a family that that better epitomizes than Rob and his family.”

Proceeds from fundraisers during Hampton’s Military/Law Enforcement/First Responders Appreciation Week were donated to the Sgt. Robert Kirsopp Scholarship Fund, established by the It’s About the Warrior Foundation.

The Pine Township-based nonprofit, established in 2012 by U.S. Air Force veteran Steve Monteleone, provides a stable support system for post-9/11 veterans from Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and the panhandle of West Virginia.

Before the Sept. 13 game, Gavlik thanked Upper St. Clair School District athletic director Danny Holzer and members of his community for donating to the Kirsopp scholarship fund.

Although the final score ended up being decidedly not in Hampton’s favor, Gavlik spoke about the spirit of the occasion.

“Tonight, we gather for a football game. The bands are here. The cheerleaders are here. The student sections are here. This is what being there for each other is about,” he said. “This is about community, and this is about Western Pennsylvania football.”