After faithfully serving the community for over twenty years, Renee Graves, a seasoned dispatcher, entered retirement with a commendable record of dedication and professionalism. Graves, whose career in dispatch started in 2004 with the City of Southlake, remained on the team through its merger with Keller dispatch operations in 2007 and retired, holding the distinct honor of being the last original Southlake dispatcher.
Throughout her tenure, as the industry's technology advanced, allowing for more precise location pinpointing and enhanced support for first responders, Graves's mission remained unchanged. "I love to help people," she explained to Keller Public Safety, "I knew I couldn't be out there in the field, but this was the perfect way for me to help from the inside, helping people and helping others get to them." Her career highlights include critical moments, such as guiding a caller through CPR to save a 2-year-old from drowning, a feat that exemplifies the often unseen but vital role dispatchers play.
Graves's journey to dispatch was serendipitous. During her time at the Southlake Citizens Academy in 2003, a fellow participant urged her to apply for a dispatch position, despite her initial reservations about her emotional fortitude for the role. "I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up," she told Keller Public Safety. "This fell in my lap, and I've loved it ever since."
