Tarkio’s newest police officer is Katie Keaveny. She is only the third female to ever serve on the force.

The Tarkio Police Department has a new face behind the badge and protecting the community. Katie Keaveny began her duties November 11. She is the second police officer hired in the past few months in Tarkio and the third female to ever serve on the force.

Officer Keaveny graduated from the police academy at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, May 28. This is her first job as an officer and she is enjoying it. Growing up, Keaveny had a family friend who was a police officer and she always thought that would be a great field to enter. Being one who enjoys helping others, she also served in the medical field as a Registered Medical Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant. Officer Keaveny has always been one who believes all officers should treat everyone equally, no matter their income or station in life or race. Growing up in St. Joseph, she has seen instances where that is not always the case, so she is eager to show the citizens she serves that not all police officers are bad.

Officer Keaveny and her husband recently purchased a home in Tarkio and are getting settled, but she says she loves the community. It’s obviously much smaller than St. Joseph and she’s eager to get to know Tarkio’s citizens. If you see Officer Keaveny patrolling, give her a wave or stop to meet her and welcome her to Tarkio.