Hometown Hero: Kelly Lazell

When he retires on January 7, 2025, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Kelly Lazell will have invested 36 years and 55 days on the force. Raised in Franklin, Lazell chose to rear his own three children near his childhood home. His father died when Lazell was only 10 and his mother worked outside of the home while single-parenting Lazell and his siblings.

When Lazell wanted to purchase a 1978 Ford Fairlane, his mother helped him with the initial purchase, in which he then earned money to pay her back. His childhood instilled in him a life of responsibility and shaped the man he grew up to be.

When Lazell was 17, he was pulled over for a loose license plate infraction in that car. As the officer pulled awa,y leaving him with only a warning, he looked over to his passenger and said, “I’m going to do that someday.”

That officer was J.D. Richards, a well-known officer in the community. Lazell soon found himself looking up to him as a mentor throughout his life.

After graduating from Franklin Community High School in 1978, Lazell realized he needed time to mature before heading to college. He spent a year working at Whiteside’s, a downtown Franklin men’s clothing store. He spent the next four years at Indiana State University, majoring in Physical Education, where he met his wife Jill.

Following college, Lazell looked back to that traffic stop and decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. He began as a reserve officer for the Johnson County Sheriff’s office in 1984 and went full-time in 1985. He then took the next step in his career and applied to the Indiana State Police. He said it took him five times to pass the exam, but finally passed in June of 1988. Upon his installment with the State Police, J.D. Richards presented him with his own badge number – #844, which Lazell still wears proudly.

Lazell says he loves the structured life of law enforcement. He has been a firearms instructor, participated in special details, received his 35-year service pin and 1.2 million mile driving pin.

As an on-road police officer, he approaches everyone he stops with a calm, cautious, and polite manner.

No one can dispute his career had its fair share of danger. When asked if he is ever afraid while doing his job, he replied, “You have to be afraid, if you’re not afraid, then you need to get out of this line of work.” He often gives these words of advice to new officers.

After years of long hours, rotating shifts, and sacrifices he has made throughout his career, he is eager to spend more leisure time sharpening his golf game, have additional time with his family including two grandchildren, and travel with Jill. He said he will continue his lifetime hobby of fitness and is looking forward to working out with his son.

In addition to those activities, he plans to take a civilian position with the ISP Motor Carrier Office, working the scales along highways.

Reflecting on his career, he says. “I’m happy I got to do what I wanted to do.”