From the Archives: 2008

Written by Kat Brankenridge

I came into this world with a double portion of “adventure genes”. When other little girls were playing with Barbie dolls I would put on a fishing vest, grab my dad’s bullwhip, and for hours I was “Indiana Jones”. I was also enamored with Wonder Woman. I would spin and spin in my yard until in my imagination I would emerge as Wonder Woman. Then off I would go to rescue all the people and animals who were in terrible trouble.

I guess that “rescue mentality” was part of the way God wired me. After high school, I got an associate degree in Administration of justice at my community college, then went to Radford and got my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. At that time, my goal was to become a U.S. Marshall.

In my Junior year, I became involved in campus ministry and felt God was calling me to foreign missions. I moved to Boone to work on the ASU campus through a ministry called New Life. I was here for two years before taking my first mission trip to Macedonia in 1998. It was an experience of “firsts”. I suffered culture shock and loneliness, and generally felt like a fish out of water. After three months, I returned to Boone and worked various jobs to support myself.

In 2000, I spent the summer in Romania, Greece, and Macedonia sharing the gospel with the gypsies. Again, in January of 2001, I headed back overseas to Macedonia to spend a year. 9/11 occurred while I was there and I was glued to the television and radio trying to piece together what was happening. I watched police officers, firemen, and rescue squads laying their lives on the line. My “rescue mentality” rose to the surface.

Sometime in October, I returned to Boone. My interest in law enforcement was definitely revived, but I still loved to travel. I was afraid if I applied to the police department, my traveling days would be over. My friend, Conrad Poe, suggested I try Execution Protection which would combine security work with travel. In preparation, I went to basic law enforcement training (BLET) for five months. I was then employed at Diamond Creek as a company police officer and they sent me to one week of executive protection school. I worked there for several months before starting to do contract security work all over the USA.

A couple of years ago, I started to feel pulled back to Boone. For the first time, I felt the urge to put down roots. Several officers here in Boone encouraged me to come work with them, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to stop traveling. However, one day while in Florida on security detail, it crossed my mind to check into the Boone Police Department. I clicked on the internet and they just happened to be taking applications. I applied and the next available slot became mine. I’ve just completed my first year with the department and I don’t feel I have been tied down at all. I’m exactly where the Lord wants me and I think He still has plenty of travel plans in my future.

Am I ever afraid? Fear comes with the territory, but my God is right there with a ton of grace. I know there are huge angels watching my back and my Jesus promised never to leave me or forsake me. I trust Him.