I was born and raised in Sikeston Missouri where I graduated from high school. Following graduation, I attended Murray State University in Kentucky and played football for MSU.
In 1983, I married Andi, my wife of 25 years and we started our family.
I have three children, Chelsea born in 1984, Bailey in 1986 and Keaton in 1990.
Experience
I began my law enforcement career with the Scott County, Missouri Sheriff’s Department and attended the South East Missouri Law Enforcement Academy in 1986.
Later in 1986, I was appointed to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety where I worked until 1989 when I transferred to the Springfield Police Department. I moved my family to Ozark and it has been home for 18 years.
While still serving with the Springfield Police Department, I was inducted in the United States Navy Reserve as a Master at Arms. I initially served in London, England before being recruited by a Special Warfare Unit that had recently moved to the Springfield Reserve Center. The unit needed a Master at Arms and my experience as a member of the Springfield Police Special Operations Team was key to their decision.
As a member of the Springfield Police Department Special Operations Team, I was trained in the use of weapons, methods of executing search warrant entries, and Hostage Rescue techniques.
I attended Leadership training and Law Enforcemement Instructor training that certified me to teach other Officers and I gained certification as a Missouri State POST instructor.
In 1996 I completed my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice at Drury University. I continued my formal education with graduate study in Criminology.
While serving the citizens of Springfield I was assigned to Criminal Investigations and then on to Community Oriented Policing.
I was the Commercial Street Community Police Officer for over two years. During that time I learned a great deal about doing Police work in a Community Oriented setting. I adopted the philosophy of Community Involvement as my own. I learned to look at how to help those in need to solve their own problems instead of asking the police to do it for them.
I got involved in and became a part of the community in which I served. I developed relationships with the community and understood the issues that affected them. Together, we worked on long term solutions to the problems.
Later in my career, I was assigned as the Range Master and Lead instructor at the Police Department's firing range. For the next several years I trained over 300 officers, 4 times a year on all aspects of Police weapons, special operations, tactics, and chemical munitions.
I travelled all over the United States training other Law Enforcement agencies associated with the International Association of Law Enforcement Instructors (IALEFI), the Association of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) and the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).
At the same time, my career in the Navy flourished and I was trained by the Military as a strong and effective leader.
I learned that it’s not necessarily position that allows a person to lead, but the quality of the training and the person. I worked hard applying this philosophy and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in the space of less than 10 years.
The Navy recruited me into the Naval Coastal Warfare Community in August of 2002. In December of 2002 I received my orders and I was deployed to Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom.
In March of 2003, we crossed the border into Iraq at Umm Qasar. It was my first leadership role in war and it taught me a great deal on how deal with crisis situations and to lead people in adversity.
Upon coming home from the war the Sheriff of Christian County at the time recruited me as the Captain of the Patrol Division. Andi and I talked and prayed about it and decided to take the position. In September of 2003 I started my new career with Christian County however, it was not to be for long.
The following year the Sheriff lost the election and the new Sheriff did not offer me a position on his staff. In August of 2005 I was hired by the Republic Police Department and resumed my Law Enforcement career serving the citizens of Republic.
In the mean time, my children were growing up, heading to college and planning weddings. My daughter Bailey is planning to marry this coming summer and Keaton is about to graduate high school. Chelsea is living and working in Springfield.
In May of 2006, once again my country called and I answered.
I was again deployed to the Middle East for my second tour of duty. I had applied for a Direct Commission and was accepted. I deployed as a Commisioned Naval Officer.
I completed my second deployment 14 months later and resumed my career at the Republic Police Department.
Why?
The notion of running for Sheriff of Christian County was presented to me and again, after much thought and praying, Andi and I decided that it was what I needed to do. This time, my County was calling and I am willing to serve.
I am a career Law Enforcement Officer and Trainer with the added bonus of a strong Military background. I have the discipline and the desire to serve as your Sheriff and would appreciate your vote.
Joey Kyle