V. Steve Shaffer

Vurtis Stephen “Steve” Shaffer, MS, LCAC, departed this life September 8, 2023, to be welcomed into his eternal life with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.Steve was born February 15,1943, in Wichita Kansas, He was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Ann Shaffer, CJ; his parents, Raymond Shaffer and Cleta Marceline Rollins; brother, Lloyd Shaffer; sister, Linda Rae Shaffer-Sparks; and sister, Deborah Sue Rollins.Survived by his daughter, Belinda (Darren) Briggs of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Brandon (Yvonne) Briggs of San Antonio, TX, Kristin (Nicholas) Pushic of Colorado Springs, CO; great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Gavyn, Jeremiah; and many other family members and friends.Steve lived several years of his life in the Colorado mountains with his mother and step-father, until 1960, when he moved to Wichita to live with his father and step-mother. Steve attended and graduated from North High School in 1961.Steve joined the United States Army in 1964 and went to Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri for basic training in Communications. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and was an expert rifleman. Steve served for two years in Germany.After Steve was honorably discharged from the Army, his goal was to become a pastor. That was until he did a ride along in his Wichita Police Officer Brother Lloyd's patrol car.Steve was hired as a deputy for the Sedgwick County Kansas Sheriff's Office. Steve quickly rose through the ranks obtaining the rank of Lieutenant in just two years. While with the Sheriff’s Office, Steve earned numerous accolades, and commendations. Steve was the Director of Staff and Services and the training division. One of his biggest achievements was establishing the first State Certified Training Academy at any Sheriff's Office in the State of Kansas, with college courses incorporated into the curriculum. Steve was later hired as the Director of Public Safety, over both Police and Fire, in Augusta, KS.The Augusta Police Department just celebrated their 48th year of the Bugs Bunny Club, which is a club Steve started in 1975 to encourage kids to get more involved and learn about the local police department and police officers. The first Bugs Bunny Club held on May 3,1975 at the Augusta Theatre, got off to a rip-roaring start with almost 400 kids in attendance. Steve retired from law enforcement in 1992, with a total of twenty five years of police service.Steve served on the Governor's Advisory Panel,and task force on Criminal Justice, the governor's committee for the allocation of funds to State Law Enforcement Agencies, and authored several published articles and served as a consultant or task force member in areas such as Minority recruiting, Management of Police Training, community relations and fiscal Planning and responsibility.After retirement, Steve founded A New Dimension, an alcohol and drug addiction counseling service, which he operated for 20 years, until 2023. Thousands of people were treated by Steve and his team at A New Dimension.Steve’s other professional affiliations were The International Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Chiefs of Police Association, American Law Enforcement Officers Association, International Academy of Criminology, Kansas Association of Criminal Justice Educators, and International Juvenile Officers Association.Steve’s community involvement included Past Charter President of the Optimist Club, BPOE Elks (Past Exalted Ruler, 2 years), Albert Pike Masonic Lodge (32nd Degree Mason), Wichita Consistory / Midian Shrine, Past President of The Kansas Peace Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The American Legion.Steve attended Wichita State University and earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Police Science, a Bachelor's Degree in Police Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Education. He then became licensed as a clinical addiction counselor. Steve was an adjunct professor at both Wichita State University and Butler County Community College.Steve has positively impacted an untold number of lives over the years, through his service as a law enforcement officer, and later in his counseling work.Steve cared greatly for those at A New Dimension, Ashley, Kristy, and Cari, who alongside him, supported so many in this community through their journeys of self-improvement.Steve wanted to thank all of those individuals who had a hand in his care these past few months, and acknowledge the services of Homewell Care and Traditions Hospice.Steve’s positive attitude, loving and encouraging heart will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.Visitation will be from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Monday, September 18, 2023, Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, September 19, 2023, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Steve will be buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Augusta, Kansas, with military honors.In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with: Lifeline Animal Placement & Protection (LAPP), 310 W. 45th St. N., Wichita, KS 67204.