Kinston Police Department Welcomes Former Officer Helen Sutton-Savage Back Home

Members of the Kinston Police Department had the distinct honor of welcoming former Officer Helen Sutton-Savage, now known as Helen Garris, back to the Kinston Police Department for a special visit and tour of the station.

Mrs. Garris contacted the department last week with a desire to share photographs, newspaper articles, and other memories from her time with the Kinston Police Department. What began as an opportunity to share a few pieces of history quickly became something much more meaningful.

During her visit, Mrs. Garris shared stories not only about her career, but about growing up near East Bight Street, working at J.D. Conner's Supermarket on South Adkin Street, and eventually beginning a career that would make her a pioneer in the Kinston community as the first African American female police officer with the Kinston Police Department.

According to department records, Mrs. Garris served with the Kinston Police Department from 1979 through 1986. She recalled being hired by Chief Broadwell and eventually ending her career with the department while serving under the command of Chief Hagler.

Mrs. Garris reminisced about beginning her career in the department's Records/Communications Section. She recalled that it was nearly a year before she was permitted to ride in a patrol vehicle and answer calls for service. Eventually, she attended the police academy in Wilson, North Carolina, and continued her journey as a sworn law enforcement officer.

She openly discussed both the challenges and successes she experienced during her career. At one point, she recalled that there were those who hoped she would not make it through the academy. Rather than allowing those doubts, or her small stature, to stand in her way, Mrs. Garris persevered and went on to serve her community as both a patrol officer and juvenile detective.

Her commitment to children and the community was especially evident during her time as a juvenile detective. Mrs. Garris created a program that provided haircuts to children before the start of the school year, helping young people prepare for the first day of school while building positive relationships between children and law enforcement. The concept of providing free or donated haircuts to children before the school year has since become a program replicated by law enforcement agencies and organizations across the country.

Mrs. Garris was quick to laugh when discussing the program and joked that she would not necessarily take credit for starting the nationwide tradition.

During her visit, Mrs. Garris and members of the department also had the opportunity to discuss the eventual resolution of the once-unsolved murder of Ms. Hokie Shepard. Mrs. Garris was serving as a Juvenile Detective at the time and recalled working on the case alongside other detectives.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the visit came as Mrs. Garris was shown through the halls of the Kinston Police Department. As she passed old photographs and memorabilia from the era in which she served, her face lit up with excitement as she recognized former colleagues, friends, and even several photographs of herself.

Mrs. Garris also brought with her records and performance evaluations she had carefully preserved throughout the years, providing a remarkable glimpse into both her career and the history of the Kinston Police Department.

While Mrs. Garris came to the department intending to share memories from her past, she left having created new memories and new friendships with members of today's Kinston Police Department.

Her visit serves as an important reminder that the history of the Kinston Police Department is not simply contained in old photographs, reports, or records. It lives in the people who wore the badge, served this community, overcame challenges, and helped shape the department we have today.

The members of the Kinston Police Department are grateful to Mrs. Garris for returning home, sharing her story, and allowing us the opportunity to hear firsthand what it was like to serve this community during an important chapter in the department's history.

Thank you, Mrs. Garris, for your service, your perseverance, and for helping pave the way for those who followed.