PICKENS COUNTY – Lifelong resident of Pickens County and 1973 graduate of Easley High School, J.B. Kelley, was inspired as a child to pursue a career in law enforcement.
“As a child, I loved Andy Griffith and there was a show called, “Highway Patrol” and it made me want to become a cop,” Kelley said.
Upon graduation, Kelley joined the Easley Cadet Program for the city’s police department and then joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol as a communications operator.
He joined the Easley Police Department full time in 1975 and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in July of 1977.
In 1978, Kelley joined the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office on road patrol.
He was promoted to detective in 1979 and served in that division for five years.
Kelley was promoted to Lieutenant over special operations in narcotics and served there for 18 years.
Sheriff David Stone then asked Kelley to oversee the juvenile Detective Division, the School Resource officers, and the Criminal Domestic Violence Investigators and Advocates where he remains today.
“I love my job and there is never more than two days alike. It is exciting,” Kelley said.
Kelley has received specialized training for narcotics investigations and has completed the Narco-Terrorism Personal Protection Course.
He has also received special training in fire and explosives.
Kelley is a married father of two.
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