Hampton police officers award $1,200 check for local scholarship fund

After months of fundraising, the Hampton Township Police Department presented a $1,200 check to the It’s About the Warrior Foundation during a special meeting of Hampton Council on Jan. 8.

The money, according to IATW founder and executive director Steve Monteleone, will go toward the foundation’s Rob Kirsopp Memorial Scholarship. Kirsopp was a longtime Hampton police officer who died from cancer in May.

IATW is a veterans organization based in Wexford that seeks to “empower” post-9/11 veterans through therapeutic programs and family-oriented events, said Monteleone, an Air Force veteran.

The funds were generated, he said, through numerous sources in the Hampton community, such as local schools and athletic organizations. The contributions by Hampton’s officers ultimately will go toward two $2,500 scholarships for prospective college or trade school studentsand a $1,000 scholarship for a prospective law enforcement academy student, Monteleone said.

“(Kirsopp) was a highly respected member of the community. So everyone comes together to support,” Hampton social worker Angela Kenbok said.

As part of the fundraising collaboration with Hampton schools, one student from each school — and two from the high school — will be given rides to school in a Hampton police car.

Officer Carl Good, a school resource officer, said he would “make sure the students arrive on time.”