balances and Local sheriff law enforcement busy family life

By Andrea Busche

Manylocal residents are somewhat familiar with Kelly Lake, due to her high-profile position as Carlton County sheriff. She was initially sworn in April 2005 and has continued to be reelected every four years thereafter, but many people don’t know much about her personal life.

For instance, she owns and operates a small hobby farm. She is a “hockey mom,” and has four children. At one time, she was her husband’s boss. And one of her favorite hobbies is horseback riding.

Sheriff Lake recently granted The Woman Today the opportunity to share her story — both personal and professional — with its readers. After all, one of her favorite parts of the job is interacting with the people she serves.

“It’s fun to be able to interact with the community in positive times,” she noted. “It strengthens relationships between law enforcement and the community.”

Carlton County, born and raised

Lake, one of five siblings, was born and raised in Cloquet. Her parents divorced when she was a child, so she split her time between her dad’s home — which included a hobby farm with horses, cows and other animals — and her mom’s.

Lake’s father owned and operated the former Lemon Tree Liquor, Gas & Convenience Store in Cloquet. Lake’s mother worked at Potlatch, and she and Lake’s stepfather also owned the former Golden Gate Supper Club in Scanlon.

Lake acquired a strong work ethic at an early age.

“I worked at the Lemon Tree, cleaning and stocking, and when I was old enough I worked at the Golden Gate as a dishwasher, and later a waitress,” she explained. She also helped out on her dad’s farm.

Throughout high school, Lake was active in sports, too. She played basketball, softball, and was a member of the golf team.

Great opportunity

After graduating from Cloquet High School, Lake attended college at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, where she pursued business and marketing.

She moved back to Minnesota after a year and a half — mostly because she was homesick.

“I realized I missed home very much,” Lake said. “I didn’t know anyone out there.”

Upon her return home, Vern Hayes, a family friend who worked at the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, got word that Lake was looking for work. At the time, the Carlton County Jail was looking for corrections officers. It wasn’t exactly what Lake had in mind, but she seized the opportunity.

“I don’t have anyone in my family who works in law enforcement, but the opportunity presented itself, so I took it,” she noted.

While working as a corrections officer, Lake went back to school — at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet — where she earned degrees in law enforcement. She later attended Hibbing Community College for her law enforcement skills certification, and noted, “I was fortunate enough that the sheriff and the county allowed me to work part time on the weekends, so I could go to school during the week.”

During her work as a corrections officer, Lake was called by the Cloquet Police Department to handle clerical and administrative support while one of their employees was on maternity leave.

“I got to see the different facets of law enforcement, and decided I wanted to be a police officer on patrol,” she said.

Elected sheriff

Ultimately, Lake passed her test with the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, and her next role was as a sheriff’s deputy out on patrol. In 2003, Lake was promoted to patrol sergeant. And when then-sheriff Kevin Mangan retired, Lake was recommended for, and voted in as, sheriff in 2005.

As sheriff, Lake oversees patrol operations, investigations, special enforcement duties, the Carlton County Jail, 911 dispatch, emergency management and administrative support. She mostly works out of the sheriff’s office in Carlton, but occasionally gets called out to attend to an incident.

Although her husband, Rick Lake, a former lieutenant in the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office’s Patrol Division, is retired, Lake has no plans to hang up her badge anytime soon.

“I still enjoy my job and the people I work with,” she said. “I still have things I want to accomplish. I enjoy making sure I am supporting and advocating for our employees who do this work every day, by getting them the tools and resources they need to effectively serve the citizens of Carlton County.”

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Only female sheriff

It is interesting to note that Lake is the only female sheriff in the state of Minnesota. But she takes this distinction in stride.

“I don’t think of it as anything extraordinary, to be honest,” she said. “I don’t get treated any differently than the other 86 sheriffs in Minnesota. But it’s certainly an honor that it’s an elected position, and the citizens of Carlton County have confidence in me.”

Other professional affiliations

Lake belongs to a variety of law enforcement-related groups. She’s a current member and former president and board member of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association; president of the Minnesota Triad Association; member of the Northeast Law Enforcement Administrators Council; and board member of the Carlton County Children & Families Services Collaborative.

She has also attended a variety of leadership and continuing education courses throughout the years. Additionally, Lake received a special award in 2014 when she was voted “Friend of EMS” by the Carlton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council.

Home life

Lake, who lives in the Barnum area, has a very full life. She and her family own and operate a hobby farm with beef cattle and horses. Kelly and Rick have four children: Hunter, 23; Brendan, 21; Landen, 14; and Taylor, 12. The family has two German shepherds, Harley and Abel. Lake also enjoys horseback

Advice

riding, hiking and swimming. Lake noted that her ultrabusy life is only possible due to her extensive support network, including caring friends and family.

As noted, Lake’s husband, Rick, is retired from the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, and Lake was his boss for a time.

“He likes to joke that he had to listen to me at work and at home,” Lake shared with a laugh.

Lake recommends law enforcement as a career, but acknowledges that it requires a lot of grit and fortitude, too.

“Some of the hardest parts of the job are when staff are struggling or hurting. And it’s always hard to watch victims suffer from crimes and losses,” she said. “But there are fun parts, too, such as when we hear someone say, ‘You probably don’t remember this, but you helped me five years ago.’ And it’s very rewarding to see the successes of our staff.

“Law enforcement has been under the microscope in the last few years,” she added. “It’s a tough, but rewarding career. We are in the position to help people in their darkest hour. We need good people who are willing to stand up and protect people, and willing to keep public safety strong in our communities. I’d say, if you’re interested, don’t be afraid — it’s definitely something you can achieve.” D