The Chester County Lions Club has long had the tradition of honoring those in the community who work hard to add value by giving freely of their time, effort, and energy through volunteerism. LIONS Clubs all over the world have always been about service to others. Building bridges to a better life and building the bridges of equality and understanding through the services they provide to others of all ages regardless of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or disability.The Chester County Club would like to spot the men and women in blue this month by honoring Officer Kyle Carter from the Henderson Police Department and Deputy Mark Menzie from the Chester County Sheriff’s Department.
Kyle is originally from Blackland, Mississippi. He moved to Henderson in 1998 to attend Freed Hardeman University. While attending FHU, he met his now wife Edie. Kyle and Edie have been married since June of 2001. They have two children Annalyn and Elijah ages 14 and 12. Kyle began his career as a public servant in law enforcement in 2009 at Madison County Community Corrections. Henderson was lucky enough to get him in the Henderson Police Department in February 2013. Kyle has collectively been in law enforcement for a total of 10 years. While at Community Corrections, he says he was fortunate enough to work with local sheriff departments, police departments, the TBI and US Marshal Service in narcotics and gang units. Officer Carter believes having the opportunity to work with all these agencies afforded him the opportunity to gain a great deal of valuable training and experience. However, Officer Carter goes further to say he has never been happier or felt more appreciated than he does now in the Henderson Police Department. Officer Carter believes Henderson is a wonderful place to raise his children and nurture his family and cannot think of a better place to live and make a living.
When asked when he knew he wanted to be a public servant, Kyle says since he was a child. He has always had a desire to serve others as well as having a natural ability to lead. These desires and qualities are what led him into becoming a police officer. He took that first step to attain his goal when he began at Community Corrections as a Probation Officer.
When asked about his personal and professional accomplishments, Officer Carter says from a personal perspective, he takes a tremendous about of pride in being a leader within his Church (Next Level), being married to his wife Edie and his wonderful children. Professionally speaking, he says it would be when he is able to save another’s life.
For fun, Kyle says he likes to hunt, fish, shoot, and spend time with his family.
His future plans include continuing his career with the Henderson Police Department and “retire there. Once retired way, way down the road, he plans to spend lots of time absolutely spoiling any future grandchildren one day.
When asked what he hopes people will remember about him, Kyle he wants to be remembered for having his priorities right – GOD First – and family second before any other areas of his life.
Secondly, the Lions Club is pleased to spotlight Deputy Mark Menzie from the Chester County Sheriff’s Department.
Mark was raised in Chester County his whole life and graduated from Chester County High School. This county is special to him. He says he was blessed to be raised by wonderful parents who continue to motivate him every day.
Mark joined the United States Army at the age of 20. He says it was the most humbling experience as it taught him not to take anything in this life for granted.
Deputy Menzie will be marrying his beautiful fiancé in September of this year. He says he is so blessed and still so thankful that he got the opportunity to be a Sheriff’s Deputy for Chester County. Deputy Menzie says he is so lucky to work for a phenomenal department with an amazing group of people. He is very happy in his life where it is right now and looks forward to the future.
Deputy Menzie said he knew as a kid he wanted to be a public servant through law enforcement. He recalls when he and his brother Jonathan would play cops and robbers as kids and would argue because they both wanted to be the cop. (And thank goodness they did!!) Deputy Menzie says as a kid he was bullied some in school so he remembers the feeling. He promised himself that when he grew up, he’d “”be there” to help anyone at any time, so they never had to feel the way he did. His first steps to making his career as a servant to others began with Criminal Justice classes throughout both high school and college.
Deputy Menzie says he doesn’t really care to be remembered for accomplishments, accolades, training, or skill level; he wants to be remembered as the person that was there for someone who needed him.
For fun and recreation, Deputy Menzie says he likes to grill out and spend time with his family. He also enjoys shooting guns in his free time. But mostly, he really loves doing his job. He says he honestly looks forward to punching that timecard and starting his shift!
Deputy Menzie believes the person he is becoming each day. He says he owes all the credit to his parents, his brother, his fiancé and the U.S. Army. He further attributes the sculpting and building of his character and ethics to the Sheriff’s Department.
As far as his future aspirations, Deputy Menzie says he wants to continue to grow as a person and learn more about his profession each day. He plans on being the best husband”he can be and continue to make his department proud and maintain the excellent reputation the department has today. He says he wants to strive to make a positive impact on his community each day through his service to others.
The Chester County Lions Club is certainly proud and honored to be able to present both Officer Kyle Carter and Deputy Mark Menzie before the Club and before the public as true hometown heroes who have served us faithfully. The Lions Club believe people in Henderson are abundantly blessed to have such fine Police and Sheriff Departments. Our hope, faith and confidence in men like Kyle and Mark is well placed and most deserved.
