By Betsy Finklea
Beauty queen, firefighter, deputy sheriff – Kim Brumble has walked her own unlikely path in life and is showing young people, especially young girls, that they can do anything they set their minds to with hard work and determination.
Brumble said that you probably would not find anyone who knew her in high school who would say that they thought she would even be pursuing the career she is now. In her high school newspaper when she was a senior, they predicted that she would be a supermodel. At the time, she was entering several pageants and was quite successful so it did not seem a far stretch.
Brumble was a Miss Latta Springfest, winner of a pageant in Marion, a runner-up in many local pageants and was nominated for Miss Florence-Darlington Technical College. She also completed Barbizon Modeling School. Brumble went to Florence-Darlington Technical College where she pursued and successfully completed a degree in human services with cum laude honors. She did some internships with the Department of Social Services (DSS), but she found that this was not the direction that she wanted to go. She went to work with JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act), but there was always that possibility that the grant would run out. After leaving JTPA, she went to work with First Bank and then moved to the Sheriff’s Office in 1999, where she was working in the office. It was not long before she knew that law enforcement was what she wanted to do. She said working in the office, she was a participant in the cases, but she felt held back. “I was a cheerleader – not part of the team,” Brumble said.
She went to then Sheriff Harold Grice, and she said he told her that she really didn’t want to do it with young children. She said now she realizes that would have been harder then. She says she really doesn’t think he thought she was serious.
The opportunity then presented itself for her to join the Floyd Dale Fire Department as the secretary/treasurer. She said it was a way to get her foot in the door. Soon she expanded on that opportunity, trained, and became a firefighter. She sees it as a stepping stone.
After Sheriff Major Hulon took over and now with older children, she approached him about becoming a Class 3 Officer, which she did in 2009. She wanted more.
At 39, she attended the SC Criminal Justice Academy to become a full-fledged deputy. She was part of the Trooper Class, which was full of officers that had already been training. It was difficult, but she did it. Brumble, who turned 40 while at the Criminal Justice Academy, had to keep up with 21-year-olds, nearly half her age. “It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I got through it because I wanted it that bad,” Brumble said, who graduated as “Class I Officer on May 10, 2013.
“You can do anything that you want to do,” said Brumble. “Only you can hold yourself back,”
She said there were many people who thought that she could not do it and that was her greatest motivation.
She received a great deal of support and encouragement from her husband, Ashley, children, Walker and Alana, parents Mike Johnson and Marcia Johnson, and other family and friends. She said without their support, lots of prayers and God, she could not have pursued her passions.
Brumble would also like to thank Sheriff Hulon and Chief Deputy Larry Abraham for giving her this opportunity that she has wanted for such a long time and for all of the officers who accept her as part of the team.
As a deputy, Brumble has many responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities include:
—Working as deputy on road shift when needed handling calls and various other activities
—Handling reports, investigation and court for all Criminal Sexual Conduct, Child abuse and vulnerable adult cases and some DSS cases. Assisting in investigations with other crimes when necessary and providing needed documentation.
—Assisting with narcotics unit as needed. Also assisting DEA, ATF and SLED as needed with these duties.
—Project Coordinator for Project Lifesaver and assist with other extra activities (School career days, Sheriff’s Office related speaking engagements at schools, churches, and other organizations). NRA Certified Instructor for Refuse to be a Victim
—Assisting with grant writing and submit all grant related applications and reports into GMS and GMIS system
—Reviewing and making corrections to all incident reports and submit monthly reports to SLED
—Entering, updating and maintaining incident report data into computer for the Uniform Crime Reporting System used in law enforcement administration and operation
—Handling monthly NCIC validations
—Assisting the public, government agencies, and employees with request for diverse information and coordinate services accordingly.
—Assisting the Sheriff, Chief, Captain and other deputies with various duties as needed
—Community relations (Talking with kids, community groups, etc.)
Brumble has had to learn to overcome obstacles in a male-dominated profession and to sometimes suppress her female side to conquer the boys club of law enforcement. However, there are times when being a female is an asset to the job.
“You can achieve anything you want to do. Believe you can do it, and you will succeed. Do not be afraid to fail and do not be afraid to try,” Brumble said.
“In my job with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, as a volunteer firefighter with Floyd Dale Fire and Rescue, and as Assistant Preschool Sunday School teacher at Latta Baptist Church, I get to help others in so many different ways. Often with no “thank you”, small things tug at my heart. A hug from the children on Sunday mornings makes all the difference, said Brumble.
On one particular structure fire call, a small child present who had been playing with a lighter caused the fire. After helping fight the fire on a 90 degree day, I spent time with the child in the yard showing him the fire truck and talking with him about fire safety. Just the thought that I made a difference in the life of this child is all the thanks I need. I am a firm believer that if you make it a point to help the people in your life, your life will be filled with abundance. Formal education will make you a living, but self education will make you a fortune. I am blessed to love the work I do,” said Brumble.
When asked what I do in my job, I often tell people I am like “Joseph,” I wear a coat of many colors. I am a crime analyst and multitasking officer in the field. You may see me working funerals, assisting investigators, assisting drug agents, assisting deputies on calls, and taking reports. There are times when female is needed to help out with calls. I work most special assignments when extra help is needed such as road checks, etc. I also help with grant writing and reporting. I am very passionate about crime prevention, and often talk with various groups on this subject. I was trained as a certified instructor for NRA’ Refuse to be a Victim Program, relating to crime prevention. We have received a lot of state/federal funding in the last couple of years. It is awesome to get to do some of it all.”
In her off-time, her hobbies include reading, exercising, hunting and fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
So from being a Miss Latta Springfest, to firefighting to working as a deputy, Brumble has been from “the top of the mountain to the bottom of the sea.” Though she fights fires and arrests criminals, she still loves to dress up and shop when the occasion presents itself.
“I feel if I make a difference or help just one person out there, I have done my job,” Brumble said. Who knows where else her path may lead.
