With all the recent negativity and controversy surrounding the Topeka Fire Department and Topeka Police Department, our family felt compelled to share with you our own personal experience we had with these very compassionate and deeply devoted men and women.
On May 24, 2006, our family said good-bye to a man of great integrity. He was a husband, father, Papa, brother, mentor and a friend to many. His name was Tom Sleeper. To those who knew him, he was a man of few words, humble to the core. The number of lives he touched was never more evident than on that day in May.
Tom was a retired, 32-year veteran of the Topeka Fire Department, whom he considered to be his "forever family." During Tom's illness, not a day went by when someone from the department didn't stop by to offer prayers and support. On the night of Tom's death, our family was approached by Bill Miller, a firefighter, asking if he and his peers could have the honor of helping plan the service.
That day they went above and beyond their duties. To the men and women in uniform, many whom we didn't even know, who filled the funeral home beyond capacity, we thank you. The surrounding of the "Last Alarm," an honorable tradition signifying the death of a fellow firefighter, will forever ring in our minds. Sending Tom "Home" in the back of the open-air fire truck - how appropriate! The escort to the cemetery by the fire truck and TPD motorcycles - what a tribute. The presence of fire trucks with firefighters standing at attention, saluting as we drove through major intersections, blocking all traffic - breathtaking. The elderly gentleman walking down the street that stopped, removed his hat and stood out of respect for a man he didn't even know - it restored our faith in mankind.
Tom would have been honored by your show of deep and profound respect for one of your own.
It has been more than two months since Tom's death and the support for our family continues from these individuals with weekly lawn care and phone calls of concern.
You all have touched our lives in a way that words cannot express. A mere thank you seems so inadequate. We have been blessed.
The family of Tom Sleeper, of Berryton
Three kind acts
I would like to acknowledge three acts of kindness shown to me. One way overdue. More than a year ago a gentleman, whose name I did not write down, found my stolen wallet in a field of weeds while walking his dog. All that was missing was the cash. He brought it to my home.
Another was by Donaldson's Jewelers, who accidentally overcharged me for ring sizing. I didn't notice, and they called me the next day to refund the money.
Finally, at the Shepherd Center Summerize Session, while I was waiting to pay for my lunch, a lady who had an extra ticket gave it to me. I looked for her after lunch to no avail. If she will call me at 228-9310 I will arrange to pay her.
Marge Roy, of Topeka
Shopper is honest
Many, many thanks to the honest lady who found my small black bag in a cart in the parking lot at Sam's. I had made a hurried trip there and after unloading the supplies I had purchased left my bag in the cart. Upon returning home, I discovered to my horror that my bag was not with me.
I returned to Sam's, and a nice young man who worked with the carts was an immense help in trying to relocate my bag. I left my name and phone number.
To make a long story short, I contacted the police department and my bank and closed out the checking account, Visa, cell phone and notified a number of others. On Wednesday afternoon, I again called Sam's, and my bag had been returned by a lady who did not give her name to the gentleman attending the entrance door at Sam's. Thanks to Sam's personnel at the information desk and the lost and found department.
I cannot thank the honest lady enough for returning everything in my bag untouched. My husband is quite ill with cancer, which makes this kind act so much more to me.
Thanks and God bless!
Marguerite Slocum, of Topeka
Wallet recovered
In mid-July, my husband couldn't find his wallet. Not only were my husband's ID, hospital credentials and current CPR cards inside but also one-of-a-kind pictures of the kids and grandkids.
On Tuesday night, we got a call from our former neighbors that there was a gentleman at their home with my husband's wallet. We rushed over, and it was fully intact, including the money. Then we found out this nice man had come from Lawrence to return it. He had found it near the on-ramp to I-70 and California.
He risked himself to go out in traffic to pick up this wallet and its contents and traveled back to Topeka to return it. He didn't even want to take the money we offered as a reward. (We finally got him to accept it as gas money.) He is a wonderful man, and his name is Gary Morriquioa.
Gary, thank you will never be enough! Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Joyce Hodges and family, of Topeka
Copyright 2006
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