Some might say the photo says it all.
Submitted by a parent, and posted later to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Deputy Kelly Kemp is seated on the tailgate of a pickup truck listening intently to a young man seated next to him.
The boy, the father said in a letter of thanks sent to the Sheriff’s Office, was having a rough start to his school year and a needed a pep talk.
“Deputy Kemp did not hesitate for one second and took him under his wing,” the father wrote. “He spoke with him for quite a bit, while I stood aside. He spoke with him about respect and so many other life lessons.”
The son later asked to send a thank-you card to Kemp.
The Facebook post generated 87 comments, nearly all of them praising the deputy for the work he does.
One woman’s post said the experiences she had with Kemp “weren’t under the best circumstances” but said she was “always impressed by his caring demeanor.”
“I listened to how he spoke to children who were in his community service program,” she wrote. “He always spoke to them with such respect and empathy. He is definitely a genuine man and great role model.”
But Kemp, who serves as the Sheriff’s Office chaplain and heads up the agency’s civil citation program for juvenile offenders, would say he’s just doing what he was called to do and the praise should be directed to God.
“Everything we do is to his glory and his benefit,” Kemp said at the end of an interview
earlier this month when he sat down with The Record to talk about his work.
During that roughly hour-long conversation he talked about how he got into law enforcement, the chaplaincy and the civil citations program.
Kemp, who finished his training young, has worked in law enforcement essentially from the first day he was old enough to do so legally.
“I had to wait 15 days to get my certification,” he said.
From there he worked as a reserve officer in Fernandina Beach and with the Florida Park Service for years until one day he heard God speak to him.
“Go and sin no more and preach the gospel through law enforcement,” were the words he said he heard as plainly as if they came from someone sitting next him.
“The next day I got a phone call from Sheriff (Neil) Perry to come in for an interview,” he said.
Perry, who served as St. Johns County Sheriff from 1984 to 2004, hired Kemp as a reserve deputy and to work as the agency’s chaplain. He also worked shifts on patrol and helped with the Police Athletic League, or PAL, teams as well.
St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar hired Kemp full-time shortly after he was elected in 2004.
An ordained minister who studied at Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary, Kemp said he spends the majority of his time working with the juveniles in the civil citation program. The rest is split between his chaplain duties and his continued work with PAL.
The civil citation program started under Perry as a way to keep juveniles who find themselves on the wrong side of the law — for minor offenses — out of the criminal justice system, but still having to atone for their mistakes.
Cited rather than charged, all juveniles who find themselves in the program meet with Kemp and their parents at Kemp’s office in the St. Johns County courthouse. There, he speaks with them about discipline and respect and, through an assessment of their situation, determines whether or not they need drug or alcohol counseling or whether they can pay their dues as sentenced through Teen Court.
Either way, Kemp continues to work with the teens, helping them and mentoring them as they complete their community service hours, which can include setting up equipment for PAL games or delivering turkeys to those in need during the holidays.
It is work that Kemp said he sees making a difference even though much of it is not “quantifiable” in any way.
The program, Kemp said, has a low recidivism rate, but even with the handful of those teens who do get in trouble again, there is often something to be thankful for.
He told of one student he had spent a good deal of time with, who, after fulfilling the requirements of the program, got in trouble again for fighting.
He said the teen asked, “Please don’t tell Deputy Kemp, I don’t want him to be disappointed in me.”
“There was obviously a success with that,” Kemp said.
Shoar said Wednesday that Kemp “is always available” and works tirelessly to help others, offering that it is likely his deep faith that sustains the busy schedule.
“He’s able to combine that with his love for children and the youth in this county,” he said. “He’s just a great guy.”
In some ways, Kemp is also the spiritual face of the Sheriff’s Office. He can often be seen at memorial services and ceremonies offering a prayer for the day. But a lot of the other spiritual work gets done behind the scenes, in the hallways and patrol cars of the Sheriff’s Office.
Shoar said the work that he does with the youth combined with what he does to support his fellow deputies has made him an “invaluable” member of the agency.
“He’s just devoted his life to helping other people,” he said.
As chaplain, Kemp works with his colleagues who are having family problems or are dealing with stress from their jobs.
Without forcing the issue of faith, Shoar said, he often just offers quiet support.
“You know Kelly will come in and just ride with them,” he said.
“He’s a nonjudgmental voice and he’s a nonjudgmental ear.”
If a deputy is injured on the job and the family needs to be notified and comforted, “the first guy there is Kelly Kemp,” Shoar said.
Doing that kind of work, for well over a decade now, and offering the type of discreet support that the job demands, has earned Kemp a lot of friends and deep connections with those who have served in the Sheriff’s Office, Shoar said. He is often invited these days to give eulogies at funerals for those who have passed, something indicative of the way he has touched people’s lives.
“He’s become a real integral part of our culture,” Shoar said.
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This man is absolutely one of the kindest men i have ever met.
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1. So, controversial St. Johns County Sheriff DAVID SHOAR claims the SJSO Chaplain is a "real integral part of our culture." As Francois de La Rochefoucauld said, "Hypocrisy is the Homage Vice Pays to Virtue."
2. Deceiving Christian believers by affecting ethics and religion, SHOAR covers up multiple wrongful deaths at the hands of his deputies, including Michelle O'Connell and Andrea Sheldon.
3. As reported in November 2013 by The New York Times and PBS Frontline, Sheriff DAVID SHOAR was the author of the Michelle O'Connell homicide coverup 2010-to date.
4. As The New York Times reported in 2017, SHOAR sought to get FDLE Special Agent Rusty Ray Rodgers fired, investigated, prosecuted and incarcerated for doing his job."
5. SHOAR routinely violates constitutional rights, as he did in illegally taping attorneys meeting with clients, as held by four federal judges on two courts. "Integral part of our culture?"
6. SHOAR ducks questions, even from County Commissioners. In fact, everything about SHOAR reeks of deception, phoniness, flummery, dupery and nincompoopery. (SHOAR legally changed his name from "HOAR" in 1994).
7. Yes, Virginia, Hypocrisy is the Homage Vice Pays to Virtue.
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As far as im concerned we are talking about Deputy Kemp and did i mention how he gives his every waking minute to seve 
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Debra Mckinney I was responding to the High Sheriff's concluding quote.
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About "our culture" in SJSO. Shoar is hypocritical, at best, using Deputy Kemp and other good officers as human shields. Shoar won't answer basic questions from elected officials and journalists. He acts like an energumen. Perhaps Shoar needs an exorcism?
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Justice for Michelle O'Connell. Now. Waiting for Rev. Deputy Kemp -- and other local clergymen to speak out about Justice for Michelle O'Connell -- joining Mayor Nancy Shaver in calling for a federal investigation, as she did in a letter to the record in 2013, after the New York Times article and PBS Frontline story appeared, the year before she beat Sheriff Shoar's pal, then-Mayor Joe Boles.
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"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Shoar viciously attacked an FDLE agent for doing his job. Shoar attacked a grieving family for a private autopsy, accusing them of "molesting'Michelle O'Connell's body. Our taxes paid Shoar and his henchmen writing meanness in in a press release. Guilty conscience? Read it:
Sheriff Shoar's statement on release of information on Michelle O'Connell.
Posted: May 23, 2016 - 5:24am | Updated: May 23, 2016 - 6:55am
A news release from Sheriff David Shoar --
On January 12th, 2016 media reports circulated that the body of Michelle O’Connell was removed from her place of rest by certain (sic) members of her family. At the time, no one was certain (sic) exactly why this was done but the speculation was that a paid (sic) expert witness would be hired by these family members to produce a report that of course would support their belief about the case. Today we learn that this speculation was accurate. The report of the paid (sic) expert was delivered by a resident of Clay County who has a “private investigators” (sic) license with no connection to any official entity including law enforcement. It is critically (sic) important to note that no person officially associated with a prosecutor’s office or law enforcement agency was in any way involved including when she was removed from her place of rest. Why did these certain (sic) family members not request a judge to order a proper and officially sanctioned exhumation? We suspect the answer is that they would not have met the threshold for a judge to order one. Most importantly, there have been three separate officially sanctioned medical examiners review this case as well as two officially sanctioned special prosecutors (Jeff Ashton and Brad King) appointed by the Governor, all have determined there is NO (sic) evidence present to indicate anything other than that Michelle died by her own hand. The last special prosecutor went so far as to write that he was, “thankful it was NOT a homicide because had it been, it could never have been prosecuted due to the actions of the state agent who at one time was involved in this case.” The information presented today is nothing new and all was reviewed during the initial autopsy. Molesting Michelle from her place of rest using some freelance type approach is beyond unconventional, it was reprehensible.
The primary advisers to the few family members who will go to any lengths to maintain their moment in the spotlight consist of the private investigator, a former St. Johns County Deputy Sheriff who was fired for ethical (sic) misconduct and who is now a candidate for political office. Interestingly, this same individual has been hinting at some recent political events that there was some “big news” coming regarding the O’Connell case. Coincidently, the last time Michelle’s sister was interviewed on local television she actually told the reporter that this case is about, “politics”. Though thereporter (sic) never followed up on her comment, as the political season evolves it has become very clear what she meant. And finally a career “drug” investigator and current state agent who was recently reprimanded for conducting a “substandard” investigation into the death of Michelle O’Connell.
(continued)
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(Shoar May 23, 2016 press release, continued):
A great question for the public and media to ask would be, why hasn’t the family filed suit against the person they think was culpable in Michelle’s death? The answer is probably the same as why they did not seek an official exhumation, because there is no Probable Cause to indicate Michelle died by anything other than her own hand. Of vital importance that most folks do not understand is that the person that certain (sic) members of the family think is culpable in Michelle’s death, is one of only two people (along with Michelle’s brother Scott) who HAS filed a civil suit in relation to this case (against FDLE and Agent Rodgers). People who are culpable or have committed crimes do not file civil suits because when they do, they can longer shield themselves behind the Fifth Amendment and a civil suit puts everything under a microscope. Fortunately, the civil suit filed by Michelle’s brother Scott and Jeremy Banks is well under way and hopefully (sic) there should be closure within the next year. I have always taken the position that if a jury ever gets to hear what Scott and Jeremy had to endure because of the conduct of a few people with personal agendas, it would shock their consciences and they would rule in favor of both Scott and Jeremy, I still maintain that position.
The record clearly shows that we (sic) have always (sic) held employees accountable (sic) at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office when they violate our policies or engage in criminal conduct. In the past, I have had to discipline and even arrest employees for misconduct. If, however, an employee is unfairly and maliciously targeted by external forces (sic) they will have no stronger advocate than myself. (sic) This case is an example of the latter and not the former.
(end of perseverating press release by Sheriff Shoar.
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1. So what did the Sheriff's Chaplain, Deputy/Rev. Kemp think about Shoar's viciously attacking the grieving Michelle O'Connell family for having an independent autopsy, one that conroborated homicide? Shoar accused the family for "molesting" Michelle O'Connell's body.
2. Did Rev. Kemp ever counsel Shoar about his uncouth unkind and unChristian attack on a grieving family for having an exhumation and independent autopsy?
3. Did Rev. Kemp ever talk to Shoar upon learning about Shoar's retaliatory and meretricious attempt to prosecute, incarcerate and fire FDLE Special Agent Rusty Ray Rodgers, revealed in the New York Times in June 2017?
4. If Shoar ever talks to Rev. Kemp about Shoar's sins, crimes and torts, will Shoar assert confidentiality?
5. Does Rev. Kemp believe he is being used by Shoar, in effect, as a bullet in Shoar's gun?
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Dep Kemp is the nicest person I know. He has always been a caring and dedicated man of the cloth. He has served St. John's county for years. Dep Kemp is one of a kind and a true friend to all. Keep up the great work. David Ham, retired Sgt. St. John's County Sheriff's Office.
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I've enjoyed the pleasure of this man's company for years as I've coached PAL football and lacrosse with him. The very definition of a "servant leader".
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Deputy Kelly Kemp is an amazing person. If any child has an issue he "listens" the their problem and coaches them on how to handle situations. He also effectivly helps out the 911 explorer post.
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Well written article. Deputy Kemp is a fine officer and is a valuable asset to the Sheriff's office.
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Deputy Kelly Kemp’s service to his community is like an iceberg - Some of it is visible, but much of it is found below the surface. Deputy Kemp is not interested in accolades or recognition. After working with him in Teen Court for a few years, I have come to realize that he is almost constantly at work with those who could be identified as ‘at-risk youth’.
The results of his career/ministry are successful young men and women who contribute to the community, the economy and society. What greater testament could one seek?
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Mr. Kemp allows himself to be used by God which is the real meaning of Christmas, Christ with us. He’s got some amazingly terrific kids too! We’re blessed to have him working in our town.
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Great article about Deputy/Reverend Kemp. I had the privilege of seeing him work with others when I was a deputy and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. What's sad, however, are some of the comments made here, regarding the Sheriff. It's insulting and disrespectful to use a great story and twist it around to use it as a platform to bash the Sheriff. There is a time and a place for such things and bashing the Sheriff, via this article, is not the time nor the place.
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1. Not "disrespectful" to ask questions of our elected Sheriff.
2. At best was "disrespectful" of Shoar to "insult" grieving family and try to prosecute FDLE Special Agent Rusty Rodgers and get him fired. It's probably an obstruction of justice.
3. Wrong for Sheriff Shoar to take undeserved credit for the good that officers do, and to use them as human shields.
4. Waiting for local clergymen to speak out against injustice. How long, oh Lord? Justice for Michelle O'Connell. Merry Christmas.
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