This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making the community the strong and beautiful place residents here know and love.
Detective Crystal Kent went to high school in Columbia, and after graduating from there, she and her family decided to move to Callaway County in 2008-2009. She graduated from Columbia College with a BA. Her plan was originally to become a lawyer, but the more she learned about law enforcement she realized that wasn't the path she wanted to take. She continued learning and exploring the different avenues of law enforcement and what it really does, and with family in law enforcement and guidance from a few professors, she discovered how she wanted to be involved.
Kent started in Holt Summit as a police officer. She was a reserve for six months and commission full-time after that until 2014. And then in 2015, she transferred to the Fulton Police Department, and have been there ever since.
She couldn't imagine doing anything else, being a detective is something she is very passionate about along with protecting and serving her community.
When Detective Kent isn't at the department, she's working at her part-time job ad the State CIT Training Coordinator where she works with counsels, counties or cities that are wanting to do Crisis Intervention Training. And when she does manage some free time, she loves hanging at home with her family, with her husband Deputy Jordan Kent at the Callaway County Sheriff's Department and their two kids Dawson, 4, and Wallace, 1.
What was your first job?
I was a babysitter. I was 14-15 and was babysitting. We had some family friends that needed a babysitter during the summer time and that's what I did. It helped me save up money for my first car.
Who inspires you the most?
I would have to say Judge England. She worked at the Fulton Police Department and put herself through law school, and then is now a judge. And to know that she's a female and did all of that in a time where you didn't necessary see a lot of females doing that, and then working her way through. She also takes the time to assist us or give us different perspectives. She still care so much about the police department and the community, that I hope when I'm as far along in my career as she has made it, I hope I can still be that inspirational for the community. I mean you mention Judge E or Carol England and people know who she is throughout this whole community, and I hope that one day that's something I can be as well.
What have you done that has been most fulfilling?
I would say this job in general. Everyday, someway, somehow we're helping someone. My goal everyday when I come in is to make sure I do something for someone else, and that's my daily goal whether I'm at work or not. That's my way of giving back to the community, that's my way of showing my children that even by helping others you're helping yourself. So I would say every single day that's my goal.
What is something you are proud of that you've been recognized for?
The G.W. Law Officer of the Year Award. Lauren Heitmann is the one who nominated. She's a really good friends personally and professionally. To be even nominated with the group of guys that I was was amazing. To be one of the winners and now on the list with all of these men who have done things is awesome. I was raised in this line of work that you're one of the men and so that's where I've always been, but there's certain things as a woman it's kind of like, I did that so it's kind of neat. I sat there and listened to all those nominations and was like I'm up against some real tough guys but when they said my name I was kind of like wait that's me. So it took me a minute to realize that I actually won it. But it was awesome.
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
I think I'm doing it. Law enforcement. I used to think I wanted to move hire up but I really love being a detective. The different jobs you see, I meet people sometimes not in the best circumstances but the number of people I get to see or talk to. I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
What is a job you wouldn't want to do?
I give it to all those guys doing garbage work or those big labor intensive jobs. there are days its 100 degrees outside and I don't want to go outside talk to someone let alone go work hard in it and then deal with all the trash. But we have to have someone to do it, so I'm glad there are people willing to do it.
What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?
I would have to say the community support. No matter what is going on, doesn't matter what has happened or how you are known in the community you may not be known at all, this community wraps its arms around you 110 percent. I could put out a message right now, and say I needed assistance and people that don't know you will help someway, somehow and it's just amazing how separated people are in this community but how well we come together.