Keith Kirkland has been the School Resource Officer for Madison County Central School since July. Originally born in Tallahassee, Kirkland graduated from Rickards High in 1991, where he went on to serve in the Army as a specialist for four years. After moving to Madison in 1996, Kirkland obtained a position at the Madison County Department of Corrections. He stayed with the Department of Corrections for three years. Kirkland moved to Carolton, Ga. and attended West Georgia University. After moving back to Madison, he decided he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.
He started his career as a patrol officer in June of 2006 and was promoted to School Resource Officer in July of this year. Working with children is something Kirkland especially enjoys. Kirkland has spent time with the Boy Scouts and has also participated in some of the activities at the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch. Kirkland believes that helping just a few children makes his job worthwhile. “I want to be somebody [the students] can look up to and come to with any matter, not just law but with personal problems,” said Kirkland. “I want to be approachable.” Because of all the controversy and stigma surrounding law enforcement in this society today, Kirkland wants to change how his students see him. “I want them to see me as more of a friend than an enemy,” said Kirkland.
Kirkland has been married to his wife, Megan, for eight years, and together they have two children: Austin, 20 and Trey, 13. Austin works at the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office. When he isn't impacting students' lives, Kirkland enjoys doing anything outdoors, whether it involves fishing, hunting or boating. He is also a member of the Madison Church of God.
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1. Keith Kirkland