March Partner Spotlight ~ Kristi Kirkwood
Kristi is currently a Senior Investigator with the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police. Kristi attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR and after graduation she began work for the Texas Department of Family and Protective services in Texarkana, TX as an investigator for Child Protective Services (CPS). Kristi was offered a position as an investigator for the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police in 2011 and was promoted to Senior Investigator in 2015. Kristi is married to Andy, with whom she shares 3 kids, Jonathan, Kaden and Blakely and a Yorkie named Lilly. Kristi is an extremely hard worker, regularly visiting the Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center to have forensic interviews conducted to aid in the investigation of her cases. We are so proud of Kristi and all of her amazing accomplishments, and so are excited and honored to present her as this months Partner Spotlight! Please help us celebrate the work she does in fighting child crimes & congratulate her on this honor!
Q. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?
A. In elementary school, I wanted to be a teacher up until I went to Seaworld and decided I was definitely supposed to be an animal trainer and ride on Dolphins and hang out with Walruses instead!
Q. What is the #1 most played song on your iPad?
A. I have a LOT of favorites! Mostly country music and especially Blake Shelton!
Q. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. I am most proud of my kids and being a mom and step-mom!
Q. Who would play you in a movie of your life?
A. At home, Jennifer Lawrence or Kristin Wiig! Mostly because they are hilarious. At work, Mariska Hargitay because who doesn't want to be Olivia Benson?
Q. What is the best piece of advice you've received?
A. I have been fortunate to have received and continue to receive a lot of good advice over the years. One thing I have been told and sometimes have to tell myself on a daily basis is to do what you can do today and what you can't get done get up and keep working at tomorrow. Anyone who chooses this field as career knows that it is a calling and that it can be trying, overwhelming, and about every other emotion you can think of at times. Sometimes, it can feel as if it is you fighting against the world and you just have to step back, take a breath, and realize that all that matters is that you get back up and keep going tomorrow.