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MICHELLE BANSE STOKES
Meet Captain Wendy Alley Local officer relies on past experiences to guide her service to her community. PHOTOGRAPHYBY EMILY HENDERSON Some people who experience difficulties in their formative years have trouble overcoming it, allowing their painful memories to hold them back from moving forward. Some people try to simply forget that their childhood was difficult. And then you have those rare special people who can take the trauma they experienced and use it as a way to help others. One of those special people is Captain Wendy Alley. “Growing up in Eagle Lake, law enforcement wasn’t something we knew a lot about,” said Alley. “I remember, as a kid, you didn’t call 911 – there was no such thing. Family violence was a prevalent thing when I was growing up and it became a constant in my career and in my life working with women and children. It’s a passion. I know that sounds kind of weird, but I feel like it’s a gift I was given. I have several successful prosecutions involving child abuse and sexual assault and there are cases throughout my entire career that I am proud of where I worked very hard, put in the effort, and I know the victims are thankful and grateful.” Although law enforcement wasn’t on Alley’s radar at first, she knew early on that she had a innate desire to help others. “Before I became a police officer, I thought I wanted to be a nurse,” shared Alley. “I knew I wanted to do something that served the public and helped others. Then I received this brochure in the mail from Wharton County Junior College on law enforcement and I knew that was what I wanted to do. I thought with the life experience I had growing up that this was something I could actually be good at. My family has always been very supportive – my dad even bought me my first pistol!” Alley has served in law enforcement since 1999. Her husband is also in law enforcement and serves as a Texas State Trooper. “Right now, he’s at the border for 14 days at a time,” added Alley. “It’s not fun, but it’s part of it. Both our kids are grown and out of the house now, so it’s easier. When our kids were young, it wasn’t always easy with both of us in law enforcement. Juggling athletics and student activities was challenging but we’re empty nesters now and I am kind of enjoying it.”
14 | COLUMBUS, TEXAS
