Clarence M. Kelley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clarence M. Kelley
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| 2nd Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
| In office July 9, 1973 – February 15, 1978 |
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| President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter |
| Deputy | James B. Adams |
| Preceded by | J. Edgar Hoover |
| Succeeded by | William H. Webster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 24, 1911 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | August 5, 1997 (aged 85) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Ruby Pickett
(m. 1937; died 1975)Shirley Dyckes
(m. 1976–1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Kansas (BA) University of Missouri–Kansas City (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1944 - 1946 |
Clarence M. Kelley (born October 24, 1911 – died August 5, 1997) was an important American police officer. He led the Kansas City Police Department for many years. Later, he became the second Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Clarence Kelley was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 24, 1911. He went to Northeast High School. There, his friends called him "Chief." He was also good at baseball.
He earned his first degree from the University of Kansas in 1936. He then studied law at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He became a lawyer in 1940. People who knew him felt he was meant to work in law enforcement.
Joining the FBI
Kelley started working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a special agent in 1940. He worked in different cities like Huntington, Pittsburgh, and Des Moines. He also trained at the FBI center in Quantico, Virginia.
From 1944 to 1946, Kelley served in the United States Navy. After his military service, he returned to the FBI. He worked in the Kansas City office and later at the FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was promoted several times, becoming an Inspector. He retired from the FBI in 1961.
Leading the Kansas City Police
After leaving the FBI, Kelley became the Chief of the Kansas City Police Department. He served in this role from 1961 to 1973. During his time, he brought in new technology. For example, he set up a computer system to check driver's license plates.
In 1970, Kelley received a special award called the J. Edgar Hoover Gold Medal. He also joined important committees that advised the President on criminal justice.
Director of the FBI (1973–1978)
In 1973, President Richard Nixon chose Clarence Kelley to be the new Director of the FBI. The United States Senate approved his nomination. He officially started his job on July 9, 1973. Kelley was the first FBI Director to be chosen this way.
As Director, Kelley worked to make the FBI more open. He improved how the FBI worked with other intelligence groups, like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He also tried to improve the FBI's public image. This was important because the FBI had been led by one person, J. Edgar Hoover, for over 40 years.
Kelley decided to retire in 1977. President Jimmy Carter then chose William H. Webster to take his place. Kelley left the FBI on February 15, 1978.
After the FBI
In 1982, Kelley started his own company called Clarence M. Kelley and Associates, Inc. (CMKA). This company helps with security and investigations. It works both in the U.S. and in other countries.
Personal Life and Passing
Clarence Kelley was a member of the Christian Church. He was married twice. With his first wife, Ruby Pickett, he had a son and a daughter. After Ruby passed away in 1975, he married Shirley Dyckes in 1976.
Kelley wrote a book about his life called Kelley: The Story of an FBI Director. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 5, 1997, at the age of 85. He was buried in Independence, Missouri.
