Military service and career

While still in high school, Kate had identified her desire to be in law enforcement and investigation and was told by counselors that the fastest route to her goals would be to complete a degree in accounting and serve in the military. Aiming rather greatly higher, Kate graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Criminal Justice (1985). Kate’s parents were there when she received her U.S. Air Force 2nd Lieutenant’s bars as part of her commissioning ceremony.

Her first assignment was to complete the Navy Language College Program, now known as the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center Program.

Kate reported to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK, upon completion of her Russian language training. While stationed at Elmendorf she met her future husband, Jim Malapanes.

Staying focused on her career goals, she took the first opportunity to join the Department of Naturalization and Immigration and reported to Quantico, VA, to complete her training.

It was a tradition at the school to present the individual with the top score in each class with a certificate of achievement. For Kate’s graduation, they presented her with a notebook with each certificate, as she was at the top in all the classes, even marksmanship.

Truly, Kate was one DECORATED service member. The awards and badges and coins were so many!

Kate’s first assignment in Grand Junction was to manage the construction and opening of the Grand Junction Security Holding Facility. At her retirement from Homeland Security in 2013, individuals from each of her previous duty stations were in attendance, a tribute to her commitment to her position and caring for her staff.

Kate did not stay retired long. She took a security guard position at the local hospital. Later, she obtained her Private Investigator License and started her own company – Ketchum Investigations and Training.

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