February Jubilee for Armed Forces, Police and Security Officials

During each month of the Jubilee Year, the Church celebrates numerous groups of laypeople and religious. Armed forces, police, and security officials are being honored in February alongside artists and deacons. 

The following article contains interviews with three members of law enforcement, both active and retired, who are parishioners in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. 

Chief Deputy Jill Knipper
Parish: Sts. Peter & Paul, Petersburg

Jill Knipper is Chief Deputy of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, and has worked in law enforcement for 21 years. She is married with three children, and is a parishioner at Sts. Peter & Paul in Petersburg where she volunteers at various parish events and serves as a Eucharistic Minister.

Jill first felt called to a career in law enforcement because of how it provides a wide variety of opportunities to keep her local community safe and happy where they work, live, and raise families.

She says that her Catholic faith has always been something that is at the center of her decision-making.

“I try to start each day with a positive outlook knowing that God will show up for me in many ways throughout the day, whether those ways be big or small,” Jill reflects. 

“I think my faith has helped me be more understanding and willing to give a chance to people who many think may not deserve that chance. My faith has guided me through tough situations and has been a driving force when there are things on my mind or situations that need my attention.”

Weekly church attendance helps ground her in a world that can be ever-changing. Law enforcement is never the same career from day to day. It has her constantly thinking on her feet and adjusting to different situations that she may not have planned for, but knows that she has trained for. 

“Just as we are taught to fall back on the trainings and teachings of Jesus, we as law enforcement are taught the same - to fall back on our teachings and trainings.”

Law enforcement is well supported and appreciated in her community, which is a two way street. 

Jill speaks about how compassion, forgiveness and justice are three things that can be looked at differently by all people. Law enforcement is looked at differently by all people, and so they go hand in hand in her book. 

“Law enforcement allows me to have and use compassion for others on a daily basis just based on the variety of populations I have an opportunity to work with in a day. The goal of law enforcement is to bring justice to the communities we serve and again that looks different for many, but seems simple when you look at the teaching we hear about in Mass weekly. I know that my faith has deepened and my relationship with God has changed in many ways since becoming a law enforcement officer, and I am sure this will continue to deepen and change as I continue my career.”

Corporal Travis Kramer
Parish: Resurrection Parish, Dubuque

Corporal Travis Kramer is the Property and Evidence Coordinator for the Dubuque Police Department, with over 25 years of experience in law enforcement. Travis is married with three children, and is a parishioner at Resurrection Parish. There he has served on a number of committees, co-chaired the parish festival, and served on the Pastoral Council. 

Travis attended Loras College, where he graduated with a BA in International Business. During his senior year there, his best friend was a member of the Dubuque Auxiliary Police and invited him to also join. Travis ended up enjoying it, and decided to pursue a career in law enforcement after graduation.

His Catholic faith and the lessons about how to treat others often comes into play in his work. 

“Law enforcement officers deal with people across the full spectrum of life, but often during times of tragedy and need. Being Catholic guides me to treat others with respect and compassion, serve those in need of assistance, and treat others equally, as Jesus taught us to,” he says. 

During times of difficulty, Travis turns to a saint that he feels especially connected to - St. Michael the Archangel. 

“I carry blessed Saint Michael medals with me at work, one in my pants pocket and another in front of the ballistic panels of my vest,” Travis explains.

“I pray to him and Jesus before and after every shift, thanking them for their protection of me and my fellow officers, and asking to help us be a light of Christ to others.”

The faith community, like a majority of the Dubuque community, has been supportive of Travis and the other members of local law enforcement. That support is shown through prayer intentions, kind words, and even treats and cards written to officers from Wahlert Catholic High School students. 

Catholic teachings have also helped him to deal with difficult situations on a routine basis.
“Working with victims and their families requires compassion, while treating offenders with fairness. Reading and learning about these situations is one thing, but by living them over and over I have developed a much deeper understanding of Catholic teachings about compassion, forgiveness, and justice.”

Deacon Michael Klappholz
Parish: All Saints, Cedar Rapids

Deacon Mike Klappholz was a Cedar Rapids Police Officer for over 33 years, the last nine of which he served as Chief of Police before his retirement. He is married with two children, and is a proud grandfather to four grandchildren. He is a longtime member of and deacon at All Saints Parish in Cedar Rapids, where he has served on archdiocesan committees and is currently the Chaplain for the Catholic Committee on Scouting.

His first memory of expressing interest in law enforcement was during his senior year of high school at his Eagle Scout Ceremony. There, the Cedar Rapids Police Chief at the time, George Matias, was the guest speaker. 

After his freshman year of college, Deacon Mike enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard and spent the summer at basic training. He decided to major to Criminal Justice, and after graduation joined the Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) as a rookie and began his career in law enforcement. 

At the time of his retirement, he was Police Chief of CRPD and a Colonel in the Iowa National Guard. The day before his retirement ceremony, he began Formation to become a deacon. 

His Catholic faith has had a profound impact on his career, in addition to his life overall. Many of his friends and interests came into his life due to his parish and his faith, not to mention his pastor’s guidance over the decades. 

“From my first days as a Cedar Rapids Police Officer, All Saints has been with me on my journey. Upon my appointment as a rookie in the Police Academy, the parish newsletter had an article featuring another new officer and me,” he remembers. “Over the year, whenever someone or something was needed, many times the person stepping forward was from our Catholic faith.”

Deacon Mike also makes the connection between being a police officer and a deacon. “In both roles, we at times are called to assist others during difficult situations in people’s lives. This can certainly call for compassion, forgiveness, and justice.”

The lesson that Deacon Mike would give to someone who is considering a career in law enforcement is the same one that he would give to anyone contemplating their calling in life.
“As a retired police officer and chief, I have observed and witnessed officers perform heroic actions under very stressful and difficult circumstances, and at times, put their arm on someone’s shoulder and cry with them. It takes a special person to be a good police officer (the same goes for a priest and even a deacon). The challenge is determining what God is calling us to do and, more importantly, what to be. Only through prayer and reflection is knowing this possible.”