“ Law enforcement has changed so much because , back then , we were like a family ,” she said . “ Back then it was pen and paper . We didn ’ t have much technology back then .”
Kelley said calls sheets were put into a bucket and a downtown patrol officer would pick them up and respond on foot .
“ We were on the cusp of changing technology ,” she said .
After about five years with CPD , Kelley said her move to the Navarro County Sheriff ’ s Office came after she received a call from her friend and NCSO telecommunicator Faith Holt-Boyd , a current member of the Navarro College Board of Trustees .
“ Faith encouraged me to come to the Sheriff ’ s Office for a bit more money ,” she said . “ We knew a lot of the same people . We all grew up together in law enforcement .”
Holt-Boyd said she remembers
Kelley as one of her best dispatchers .
“ You could always depend on her ,” Holt-Boyd said . “ She was awesome , and her husband is my cousin so we are truly family .”
When DART formed its police department , a former Corsicana officer working for DART encouraged her to apply .
“ We encountered a different set of issues in Dallas ,” she said . “ A lot of homelessness .”
During her time at DART , Kelley reunited with her friend and former NCSO deputy Brent Thompson , one of the five officers killed during the July 7 , 2016 ambush on police in Dallas .
“ We worked together and became close ,” she said . “ The City of Dallas has changed things since the shootings and hopefully something like that won ’ t happen again .”
SCHOOL BOARD AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Kelley is the longest-tenured member of the current school board after serving three terms . She has never been opposed in an election .
“ I always try to do what is best for our district ,” she said . “ I also understand things are changing in our community . I hope we can get through these changes and people can be open-minded , things are moving fast and our kids are different from 20 years ago , we need to be thinking about now .”
In addition to serving on the school board , Kelley said she volunteers with VOICE , the Mary Peterson Child Care Board , and helps with the Jackson Ex-Students Association .
“ I have always been community-oriented ,” she said . “ They call me Mrs . Community . When people found out I was retiring they knew I would have more time to volunteer and serve .”
16 Explore Corsicana | Fall 2022