“I grew up with that mentality and if I wanted something, I went for it and if someone told me ‘hey you can’t do that’ it made me want it more,” said Cox, a Morehead State University graduate.

 

Cox had plans to go into law school but after writing warrants as a paralegal she made a decision to go towards law enforcement. She said there were those who questioned her decision. 

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“There was a lot of people who did doubt that I could go to the state police, that I could be state trooper, or even a police officer in general and you know I proved them wrong.”

 

Before joining MPD, Cox was a state police officer where she occasionally worked with guys who would later have her back at the MPD.

 

Officer Jody Grigsby, a colleague of Cox, said she increases the strength of the team. It brings the department more diversity so they can better handle situations like those involving domestic abuse victims.

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“Everybody thinks that police officers have to be males but that’s not how it is,” said Grigsby. “You don’t see many female officers out their but that’s changing for the good.”

 

No matter how strong the team is, it is important to become a family unit to deal with the hardships they face in their daily career.

 

“You see somethings in this job that causes some PTSD in the long run and you have to be mentally strong,” said Cox. “If you do have problems, you need to lean on your brothers and sisters in law enforcement. They know what you’re going through.”

 

For Cox those hardships can’t off set the rewards of the job.

 

 “The most rewarding part at the end of the day isn’t just helping people,” said Cox. “I’ve been approached daily, just people thanking me.”