Kory Fleming
Kory Fleming, a Butler City police officer, finds his current job is a natural progression from the four years he spent in the United States Marine Corps.
Fleming, a seven-year veteran of the department, spent four years in military service, including being deployed twice to Afghanistan. He joined the department in 2016 after attending the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy.
He said joining the police was a natural fit.
“This seems like a job I wanted to do, to have a purpose and to help people,” he said. “My military experience helps with police tactics.”
As a police officer, he works 12-hour shifts — either 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. — rotating between shifts every two weeks. He said the constant new challenges of his job keeps him on his toes.
“Every shift is challenging, there’s always something new to learn. You find the best way to deal with it,” he said.
He said he likes the camaraderie he has with his fellow police officers he works with. “I had that in the military,” he said.
Fleming noted dealing with the drug epidemic is difficult, but he tries to see the humanity of the people he encounters.
“They are not their true self,” he said of drug users he encounters. “You are seeing the same faces. You know how they will respond.”
His compassion is what led Jennifer Snyder to nominate the officer for a Hometown Hero Award on behalf of the Butler Rotary Club PM on Sept. 11.
She said, “Kory is really deserving of this award for many reasons. Not only is he a dedicated patrolman for Butler City, but he is a vital member of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit.
“He volunteers his time and spends hours of time outside work to train and continue to learn and grow as a first responder,” she said.
Fleming said his nomination was unexpected and was very appreciated.
“But I don’t do it for an award. I do it because it is the right thing to do,” he said.
Sometimes, he said, some of the people he encounters in the course of his police duties, after some time has passed, they will come to him to say thanks.
“I like that I can help people. I try to help people every day, even when I’m not working,” said Fleming.
“I have no plans to go anywhere else. I like where I’m at,” he added.
