MACON - There comes a time in an officer’s life when they would rather be sitting along a highway clocking traffic than to investigate matters that seem unfathomable. Cases that are often read about that occur in larger cities not close to home.
Detective Pat Henley with the Macon Police Department was recently presented a certificate of apprecitation by John Gillis, in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in St. Louis, for her lengthy investigations on two serious crimes in Macon. The first lengthy investigation for the eight-year veteran of the MPD was when a Kansas disabled couple had been robbed of $66,284 of Social Security Disability benefits by a Macon couple, Donald and Mary Hicks. Court records stated the disabled couple, Albert and Kathy West, depended on the Hicks for everything from food to clothing to basic needs for survival between September 1998 to February 2006. Hicks did pay monthly rent and electricity but embezzeled a substantial amount of the remaining funds for himself and his wife.
“Pat Henley is a hero,” said Kathy West’s brother in an interview with the C-H in June. “We had no idea where my sister and her husband were for approximately 21 years. I wrote a letter to the Social Security office and luckily it was sent to the wrong address in Macon. That got the ball rolling.”
Detective Henley said the couple had been living in below standard housing. “Their house was filthy. I couldn’t believe it. What the Wests’ had gone through and nobody knew. When I discovered what was taking place, I wanted to do everything in my power to get them to a safe place.”
During the presentation on Friday in the Macon City Council Chambers, John Gillis, with the F.B.I in St. Louis said, “Pat Henley stuck with the case from the beginning to end. We appreciate all the help that she provided in this case and in the a case involving a Shelbyville woman, Barbara Taylor, who was found guilty and sentenced on federal fraud charges.” According to the United States Attorney, Taylor from the beginning of 2003 continuing to 2006 was employed with Jepson Lumber and Home Center as the bookkeeper. She would issue Jepson Lumber checks for her own personal bills and expenses.
Although Detective Henley investigates numerous cases she was recognized for her extensive work on the two cases mentioned.
Macon Police Chief Steve Olinger presented Detective Henley with a letter of commendation and a medal from the Macon Police Department. “We wanted to recognize Detective Henley for her outstanding work on the two cases,” Chief Olinger said.
On Friday morning, Detective Henley was escorted into the council chambers that was filled with co-workers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, North Missouri Drug Task Force, and the Macon Police Department by Assistant Police Chief Jeff Brown. She was unaware that all attended to witness her presentation.