Retiring trooper worked to 'make a difference'

RICHMOND - Master Trooper Chris Lanham doing community policing before the politicians cited.

Employed by the Kentucky State Police since 1989, Lanham made it a point to be part of his community, he was assigned to the Town of Pike, Dry Ridge and Richmond stations.

"I tell these young soldiers ..." be seen in the local mom 'n' pop shops. Do business with them. Stop there for a sandwich or a Coke or coffee, "Lanham said. "... They will tell you things they would not approach with other police officers. They'll tell you what they think is moving stolen goods. They'll tell you who they think is dealing drugs."

After 22 years with state police, Lanham, 48, plans to retire at the end of the month. For the past eight years, he has been the public affairs officer for the Richmond post. That means he's not only responsible for fielding questions from reporters, but he also speaks to civic and church groups and raises money for Trooper Island, a summer camp for young people on Dale Hollow Lake.

"I wanted to really make a difference in young people's lives," Lanham said. "If I can change a young person's direction in life, I feel that my 22 years would have all been worth it.

"I've talked to kids that I stopped years ago for a traffic infringement or they might have had alcohol or something. I cut 'em some slack, and years later they sought me out and said, 'You know, I really appreciate what you did.' One in particular is a major in the United States Marine Corps. He was going down that path of making some wrong choices in his life, and I took the time to speak with him about staying in school and being a good citizen."

Capt. Eddie Johnson, commander of Post 7 in Richmond, has known Lanham since they served together on the Marijuana Strike Force. A 1991 photo in Johnson's office shows him, Lanham and other members of a rappel team that cut down marijuana in Knox County, put it in a sling, and then attached the sling to a helicopter that carried the pot away to be burned.

Johnson said Lanham will be missed.

"He's got good initiative and he takes hold of things. Many times I've said, 'Chris what about this?' 'Oh, yeah, I've already taken care of that,'" Johnson said.

"We've asked him to work the road for us when we're short. He never says anything. Matter of fact, (recently) he worked a three-car accident in Madison County. He rolled up on it and worked it and took care of it. You never have to worry about Chris taking care of business and doing what he's supposed to be doing.

well i am in virginia now. will be here for several days while i ...

My trip to Jacksonville was a bust. My brother is a lost cause. He finally fell in love and she tore his heart out. The details are sketchy because he will not talk about it and keeps trying to make it seem like it's okay. Well, it isn't okay. He is a shadow of the guy I know he still is down deep. He has become somwehat introverted and standoffish. I just hope he finds a way to recover from this. I have never seen him give himself so willingly to a woman. It shot him in the foot to do so. Why did it happen? I don't know, but I have some theories and I think he does too although he will not admit it. I am waiting to see what happened in California. Kent's little buddy was supposed to see to that. It will likely answer a lot of the questions. Maybe when they are answered, we will get some closure and my dear brother can come out of his funk. Probably won't happen because I do not think he will handle it well until she is out of the picture and from the sound of it, that is unlikely. Maybe she will finally stop leading him on though.

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