MSU officer recognized as 9-1-1 Hero

MOREHEAD, Ky. (WTVQ) – Morehead State University Police Officer Harley Catron has spent her career and her life overcoming the odds.  That’s why she was chosen as an ABC 36 9-1-1 Hero.

After a challenging upbringing in Montgomery County where some family members battled drug problems and went to jail, she went to Berea College where she was a star softball player.  She also traveled the world as a member of the National Select Softball Team.

In 2016, she became a Kentucky State Police Trooper in a male dominated profession.  “People are always going to doubt you.  They’re always going to say you can’t do it.  They’re going to say you’re too short or too weak or whatever the criticism may be.  You just have to prove them wrong.  I like to prove people wrong,” Officer Catron said.

After leaving KSP, she became a Bath County Sheriff’s Deputy where she made headlines in April of this year after shooting and killing a suspect at the end of a chase while being attacked.  An investigation by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team cleared her of any wrongdoing, ruling her use of deadly force was justified.

“Coping with that was tough and is still tough.  I’m not going to say that I’m big and bad and don’t struggle with it, because I do.  Even though I know I was justified, that’s just something you don’t want to ever have to do in this profession,” said Officer Catron.

In October of this year, she joined the Morehead State University Police Department as an officer. When asked how she has defied the odds personally and professionally, she said, “I truly believe there was somebody praying for me.  I don’t know who that somebody was, but they were praying for me and God got me out of it.  I carry a prayer cloth in my pocket everyday because I know it has been prayed over.  I know that God is going to protect me.”

Her love of law enforcement is rooted in her passion to help others, especially the helpless and voiceless.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m on-duty or off-duty, there’s something in me that I want to help.  I just want to be a hero,” said Officer Catron.

If you would like to nominate a first responder to be considered as an ABC 36 9-1-1 Hero, click on the Community tab on our website.  One first responder will be chosen each month.