Lyle Updike Honored by Local Law Enforcement

Many of us go out of our way to say, “thank you for your service” to law enforcement officers and first responders for the difficult jobs they perform. Lyle Updike is a person that goes above and beyond those words. This week, law enforcement agencies returned the appreciation to Lyle with a special presentation and gift.

Eight years ago, Lyle Updike chose to recognize police officers for the difficult job they do after seeing news reports of them being attacked and even killed in the line of duty. He wanted to demonstrate that not all areas of the country were anti-police, and specifically, in our community, “we support law enforcement and first responders.” He used his business, Updike BBQ and Catering, along with donations from others to say thank you to the men and women who often do a thankless job by providing a delicious barbeque meal, prizes, and other recognition.

“For the first two years we paid for the food, and it was open to families of all first responders,” Lyle explained. “We had such a tremendous turnout we continued to do it year after year at the barn.”

Not only was Updike BBQ providing a professionally prepared barbecue meal, but they also gave away door prizes. By year three Lyle had 98 other businesses involved, and together, they were giving away big prizes – like gift certificates, tool chests and televisions.

“We gave away about $3,000 worth of prizes,” said Lyle. “There were no yo-yos and lollipops. We wanted to show the appreciation we had.”

This week the Clay County Sheriff’s Office along with police agencies in Clay County presented Lyle with a special gift. They made him a special shadow box with a plaque inscribed with: “Presented to Lyle Updike for His Years of Supporting Clay County Law Enforcement.” The box contains official police uniform shoulder patches from Gladstone, Claycomo, Pleasant Valley, Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Kearney, North Kansas City, and Smithville Police Departments, as well as the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

The presentation came as a surprise to Lyle. Sheriff Will Akin had coaxed him into the Sheriff’s office by saying he had some new promotional ideas to discuss.

“When he [Sheriff Akin] opened the operations room door, three walls of the room were lined with standing police officers from basically all jurisdictions in Clay County,” said Lyle, retelling the story. “It was a total shock and surprise to me. This is actually for the Updike family because my son Randall, his wife Kylee and the two grandsons are very instrumental in preparing and serving the food.”

Lyle doesn’t host the first responder dinners for self-recognition or to promote his business. However, out of all the awards he’s received throughout his life, he says this one means the most to him.

“I have received many awards, trophies and plaques. But none has been more gratifying than to get this from the first responders,” Lyle reflected. “It makes us feel that we are really doing something for a group that puts their life on the line for everybody, every day. And so, to me, it’s a labor of love to show these people how much we respect and appreciate what they do.”

This summer will be the eighth year that Updike BBQ and Catering will be serving their brand of barbecue to first responders. Over the years Lyle estimates serving over 2,800 people. Just like in the past, businesses and individuals are welcome to help sponsor the dinners. With the soaring costs of meat this year, sponsorship help means more to him than ever.

If you would like to help sponsor Updike BBQ and Catering recognition meals for first responders, you can contact them at UpdikeBBQ@hotmail.com or text 816-719-0765. Sponsors get full recognition at the dinner gatherings and first responders and police officers always appreciate the delicious barbecue.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story