Injured Maryland police officer speaks at Blue Ridge Football Officials Clinic

Roanoke, Virginia – Patrick Kepp, a football official and police officer in Maryland, spoke at the Blue Ridge Football Official’s Clinic in Roanoke and showed incredible fortitude.

“I see myself being back on the field this fall,” Kepp said.

It hasn’t even been a year since Patrick Kepp, a Maryland police officer, was struck by a car on purpose as he attempted to set up stop signs to apprehend a suspect. He is determined to return to his passion, which is officiating football and serving his community.

Kepp traveled to the Star City on Saturday to speak at the Blue Ridge Football Officials Clinic.

“They just kinda wanted me to talk and tell my story and whatever story I wanted to bring, so my goal of talking here today was to really talk about family, you know the football family,” Kepp said.

Kepp claimed that the family had supported him both before and after the collision.
In October, Kepp’s routine shift turned into a terrifying experience that required him to have both of his legs amputated and check himself into the hospital. And his football family was by his side the entire time.

“Football officiating is a family, and it’s people you’re going through life with you’re sacrificing a lot in your normal life to officiate to be away from your family. In those times that I needed them most throughout and after the crash. I had friends fly in from all over the place,” Kepp said.

To present Sergeant Kepp with the Star to the City, Roanoke city authorities Mayor Sherman Lea, Sheriff Antonio Hash, and Police Chief Scott Booth were present. inspiring football referees worldwide, as Kepp hopes to be running up the field by the next season.

“Early on I said I’m going to be back at work but most importantly, I’m going to be back at football, I said, I guess if I’m back at football you might not like it too much if I’m not at work.”

Sargent Kepp’s tenacity in sharing his aspirations following his accident leaves an impression on the City of Roanoke as well as the football officials as he returns to Maryland.