(Updated to include more reaction from House speaker, lawmakers, Johnson County officials and the governor)
Republican state Rep. John Resman of Olathe, whose career included years of service in the military and law enforcement, died suddenly Monday morning at home. He was 70.
House Republicans were told of his passing during their caucus meeting Monday morning.
“Rep. John Resman served with integrity, dedication, and a genuine care for the people of his district,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins said in a statement later Monday morning.
“Beyond being a true friend to so many in the House, he was a strong advocate for his community, always approached his work dutifully, and thoughtfully took in the
perspectives of his constituents when making decisions.”
Resman’s death cast a pall over the House on Monday morning as lawmakers took turns remembering him on the chamber floor.
“This world won’t be the same without John,” said Republican state Rep. Charlotte Esau of Olathe.
“He was such a calm and steady presence for so many of us,” Esau said.
“I will always remember his deep passion for justice and fairness, but even more the way his face lit up when he spoke about his family,” she said.
“He served our community faithfully throughout his life in countless ways,” she said. “And most importantly, he sought to honor God through his actions.
“He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, devotion and love,” she said.
Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday directed that flags be flown at half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities effective
“Rep. Resman has a decorated history of serving his community, our state, and our country throughout his time in the Army, Kansas National Guard, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Legislature,” Kelly said in a statement.
“My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Republican state Rep. Bob Lewis of Garden City served on committees with Resman.
In a transactional era, Lewis recalled Resman as a “definition of grace.”
“Our politics today seemed defined by brashness, personal attacks and sound bite,” Lewis said on the House floor.
“John was the antidote,” he said. “He was a gentle man, a thoughtful man, a caring man and a wise man.
“He spoke quietly, but when he spoke, people listened. He was the definition of calmness in a political storm.
“He was never boastful, always kind,” he said. “We will miss him dearly, but never forget the lessons that he taught us.”
Resman represented the 121st District since 2017 when he replaced the late Mike Kiegerl in the Kansas House.
After attending William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, Resman volunteered for the U.S. Army.
He was stationed at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth as a military police officer and correctional specialist while attending Park University.
After leaving active military service, Resman joined the Kansas National Guard and became a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth.
Two years later, he transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution at Otisville, New York.
In November 1982, Resman returned to Kansas and began a career with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
His first assignment was in the detention division followed by the communications division, the patrol division and the investigations division.
As an investigator with the sheriff’s office, Resman was assigned to the Crimes Against Persons Unit and became a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Major Case Squad.
He was promoted to sergeant in 1990 and was assigned as the supervisor for the Crimes Against Property Unit.
Resman was promoted in 1997 to lieutenant and assigned as the supervisor for the investigations division and served as officer in charge with the Metro Squad.
In 2004, he was appointed as a supervisor for the newly formed Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Officer Involved Shooting Team.
Five years later, he was promoted to captain, remaining in the investigations division, and becoming part of the sheriff’s office command staff.
During his 21 years in the investigations division, he helped develop the sheriff’s office crime scene unit, the computer forensic unit and the sexual predator unit.
He retired in 2010.
Former Johnson County Sheriff Frank Denning met Resman in the early 1980s, and their careers paralleled each other.
At one point, Resman was Denning’s supervisor when he was assigned to the Crimes Against Persons and the Kansas City Major Case Squad.
“The state of Kansas and Kansas Law Enforcement has lost an incredibly strong leader and a guardian to law enforcement,” Denning said in an email.
“Rep. Resman was a quiet yet strong leader while in the Kansas House and in his outstanding law enforcement career,” Denning said.
“He was a gentleman and a calming steady presence with his peers and his subordinates.
“He truly will leave a deficit in Kansas Politics and Kansas Law Enforcement. Personally, I will miss him tremendously,” he said.
Johnson County Commission Chair Mike Kelly also mourned Resman’s death Monday.
“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Representative John Resman, whose career reflected a deep commitment to public service,” Kelly said in a statement.
“From his years with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to his work representing our community in the Kansas Legislature, he dedicated himself to serving the people of Johnson County,” he said.
Since retiring, Resman served on the Johnson County Charter Commission, participated in the Meals on Wheels Program and worked part-time for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.
In 2016, Resman ran for Johnson County sheriff against Dennis Hammer and Calvin Hayden.
Resman finished second with 34.26% of the vote in that primary election, which Hayden won with 36.72%. Hammer finished third with 29.02%.
As a member of the House, Resman was vice chair of the Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee and vice chair of the Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee.
He also served on the Federal and State Affairs Committee and the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight.
