By J.B. King
Author of “The Tilley Treasure” and “Justice”
My father was a World War II and Korean War veteran who retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service. Dad settled our family in Salem, Missouri, and as a result I am a 1965 graduate of Salem Senior High. I attended the School of the Ozarks at Pt. Lookout, Missouri and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in August 1969. I entered the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy immediately after college on Sept. 16, 1969. Upon graduation from the MSHP academy I was assigned to the Waynesville/Ft. Wood Zone of Troop I in December of 1969. Pulaski County has been my home since then. My career with the Patrol resulted in many commendations and I am one of a very small group of Troopers who have been awarded the Medal of Valor by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. I retired as the local zone sergeant in June of 2001. Shortly after retiring I became a reserve officer for the Waynesville City Police.
In 2004, I ran for the elected office of Sheriff of Pulaski County. (Be careful what you run for, you may be elected.) I won the first race and I was reelected for a second four year term in 2008. The eight years I spent as Sheriff of Pulaski County presented me with more challenges and difficulty than I had ever faced before. I like to think I did a good job in office especially in view of the problems I faced. I retired as Sheriff on 12-31-2012. The following week I became a deputy serving under our new sheriff. I am currently assigned to the detective division as a reserve (read no pay) officer who specializes in cases of financial exploitation against older adults. In 2016, I will start my 46th year in active law enforcement.
J.B. King will be a featured presenter during Pulaski County History Crawl. Photo courtesy of the author.
I am married to the former Cheryl Ann Moore of Dixon, Missouri and I have one son, Taylor. I am a past president of the Old Stagecoach Stop Foundation. I have written two books about the American civil war in Missouri. These books are The Tilley Treasure and Justice. They both contain material on Pulaski County history. I am generally regarded as one of the best experts on Pulaski County history and have written many newspaper articles on local history along with other special Missouri based publications.
At present I am considering third book and am struggling to understand the world of online book publishing and online sales efforts. I now have some time to continue my lifelong interest with the events of World War II and other military history in general.
This article first appeared in “Dispatches”- the quarterly publication of the Military Writers Society of America. To view the issue in its entirety please visit http://www.mwsadispatches.com/dispatches/2016/1/17/winter-2016
Military Writers Society of America is hosting “Pulaski County Missouri History Crawl” September 30th through October 2nd, 2016 in Saint Robert, Missouri. This event will especially appeal to authors, historians, researchers, photographers, journalists, bloggers, and educators. Learn more at http://slate.adobe.com/cp/EDCUA. History Crawl spaces are limited, make your reservation today by contacting Pat Avery at patavery@gmail.com.
Mr. King will be a featured presenter during the Pulaski County History Crawl. You can purchase his books through Pulaski County Tourism Bureau.
Pulaski County USA 