Santa Rosa Correctional Institution
An excerpt from the book, Some Gave All, available on Amazon, or signed copies available from the author.
By Mike Simmons
End of Watch: September 28, 2021
On October 26, 1978, Robert and Sue Klimkowski, who lived in Unionville, Michigan, gave birth to twins – Kelly and Kathy. The fact that there were two of them was a complete surprise. The parents and the doctors expected only one. Kathy laughed that she beat Kelly out first. The twins, the parents, and siblings Christopher and Teresa made up the family. They lived outside Unionville in the country. In the summer, kids found typical kid things to do – baseball, fishing, riding bicycles, etc. In the winter, the snow averages 4” in January, so sledding and snowmobiling are popular pastimes. In addition to hanging out with her twin, Kelly loved taking photos. That fun activity turned into quite the hobby of photography for her.
In 2006, Kelly moved to Milton, Florida, and on July 28, 2006, she began her new career as a Correctional Officer at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. When a person finds a job that they love and are good at, it’s not work. That was how it was with Kelly. Her hours at work were enjoyed. She liked helping the inmates, the officers, and the public. Being a Correctional Officer energized her! And it showed. When people interacted with her, they always found her to be pleasant and fun to work with. She had that way about her. In her off-duty time, she and her twin sister spent a lot of time together.
There was one activity that both Kathy and Kelly enjoyed – darts. After playing and improving for a time, they became good at it. So good in fact, that they competed. Kelly’s nickname was “ballcrusher.” She served the citizens of Florida for 15 years as a correctional officer. She was last assigned to the training section of the prison. She was known for her happy demeanor and her ability to work well with people inside and outside the prison.
However, not everyone felt a pleasant demeanor in Kelly. Her primary responsibility in the training position was to train and mentor the new officers. Yes, she cared – she cared deeply. No, she was not soft with them. The one thing that the trainees didn’t want was to find themselves on the other side of the desk of “Bulldog.” When they needed to be dressed down, a drill instructor didn’t have anything on Kelly. When she finished with a trainee that had fallen short, the trainee often left in tears, but…it didn’t happen again.
When the Covid virus came on the scene in 2020, Kelly had no idea what she was up against. Schools, stores, restaurants, government buildings, churches, and businesses closed, but the criminal justice system didn’t close. Kelly kept coming to work at the prison, day after day, in the face of all adversity. In the middle of 2021, Covid caught up with her. Kelly went home sick. She never returned. When she didn’t get better, her best friend and twin sister, Kathy, took her to the hospital. It didn’t matter.
On September 28, 2021, after overcoming many difficulties and struggles, she succumbed to the dreaded Covid. On October 23, 2021, a service took place at Trahan Family Funeral Home in Milton, with the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution Honor Guard presenting. Afterward, a Celebration of Life took place at Ollie’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Milton. She was survived by her father, brother, two sisters, a niece, and a cousin.
Klim truly made a difference.
