On Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, Special Agent Michael Tippie with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office was recognized by the Kansas Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) as Arson Investigator of the Year. The award was presented to Tippie before more than 150 public and private sector fire investigators from across Kansas during the association’s annual training conference in Topeka, Kansas.
Tippie, who is based in Cherokee County, Kansas, was selected as the Arson Investigator of the Year based on his handling of a complex and sensitive investigation of a fire in southeast Kansas that claimed the lives of a mother and her two children. Tippie was the lead agent on the case, which involved numerous local, state, and federal agencies. Though the investigators received misleading information from the onset of the investigation, Tippie remained steadfast in keeping his team focused on the scientific investigative process, despite heavy outside pressure to jump to a conclusion. Following the evidence, the team eventually determined that the fire was not set intentionally.
“Mike’s peers have honored him with this award because he persevered in conducting a fair in factual investigation despite inordinate pressure to blame the fire on an individual,” said State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm. “Mike’s diligence and perseverance allowed the case to follow the evidence and science, rather than emotion and blame in the face of three tragic deaths.”
Tippie is a graduate of Pittsburg, Kansas High School and attended Labette Community College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree, and Pittsburg State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Management. In 2007, he joined the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, rising to the rank of Detective Sergeant. He has served as a Special Agent of the State Fire Marshal since 2013. In addition to being certified and a Kansas Fire Investigator, Tippie has earned IAAI certification as a Fire Investigation Technician and has completed Explosive Blasters Training presented by the International Society of Explosives Engineers.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is dedicated to protecting lives and property from the hazards of fire, explosion, and natural disaster and promotes prevention, education, and investigative activities to mitigate incidents, promote life safety, and deter crime. The Office’s Investigation Division employees 11 certified Special Agents located around the state of Kansas to assist local authorities. During 2024, the Investigators conducted 484 investigations involving fires and explosions, including investigation of 39 fatalities