September 3, 2022

By Nancy Caudle
LSPD 1989 thru 2021 Administrative Assistant in the Criminal Investigations Division

On August 28, 1922, George and Ann Garvin were blessed with their only child, Sallie.

She was born in Kansas City and raised in Lee’s Summit. Throughout her childhood, Sallie attended school and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1940. She later attended Business College.

Sallie married John Payne on July 5, 1946. She and John had 2 boys, David and Michael.

In 1963, Sallie was hired by Chief Olen B. Curtis, as Secretary to the Chief. The Police Department then employed 5 patrol officers, 7 reservists, and 4 radio operators. Sallie’s job duties included: secretarial tasks, helped dispatch calls, took statements, typed reports, court clerk when the Clerk Terry Reynolds (who was an LSPD police officer) needed her, handled receptionist duties and filled in for all positions when needed.

After 31 years with the Lee’s Summit Police Department, and Secretary (right arm) to 11 Chiefs, Sallie retired in 1994.

On August 28, 2022, a surprise 100th birthday party was held at VFW Post 5789, by her family.