Kansas AG appoints crime board member

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has appointed a southeast Kansas sheriff to the Crime Victims Compensation Board.

Schmidt announced the appointment of Allen County Sheriff Tom Williams to the three-member board on Tuesday. If confirmed by the state Senate, Williams would serve until March 2014.

Williams began his career with the Arkansas City Police Department. He was elected sheriff in 2004 after spending 20 years with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. He also teaches criminal justice courses at Allen County Community College.

The board compensates crime victims for lost earnings and out-of-pocket expenses. Those costs may include medical care, mental health counseling and other services.