Alumi Spotlight: Deputy Kinlee Hoyle
Basic Police Academy
Class of 2025
Kinlee Hoyle never expected her life to change the day she walked into work at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, where she was serving as a corrections officer. She received unexpected news that would launch her into a new purpose, passion, and impact.
“It was kind of out of the blue,” she said. Her supervisor told her to come to the office at 3 p.m. because, “the Sheriff is choosing five people to go to the police academy. You’ve been chosen.”
She completed her physical test the next day and soon started at the Butler Tech Police Academy. Despite the whirlwind, she knew she was stepping into a pathway she had wanted for a long time. “The first thing that inspired me was my dad,” she said. “He’s also in law enforcement, so it runs through my blood.”
Before the Academy, Kinlee gained valuable experience working in the jail. “I really liked working in the jail,” she shared. The unexpected opportunity to become a cadet felt like confirmation that she was moving in the right direction. Finding out she had been selected was “like a dream come true.”
At Butler Tech, Kinlee found a strong sense of community and support. “Our class had a lot of camaraderie, and we were all really close,” she said. Her instructors played a significant role in building her confidence—especially as a woman entering law enforcement. “They pushed me really hard, and I do appreciate that because being a female in law enforcement is…it’s hard,” she said. “They were straight up honest with me. So I wasn’t surprised when I did go out on the road.”
After completing the Butler Tech Basic Police Academy, she was sworn in at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division. Her dedication, work ethic, and compassion did not go unnoticed.
Sheriff Richard K. Jones shared why she was selected:
“After an extensive review of many qualified candidates for the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division, Deputy Kinlee Hoyle stood out as our top choice. Her drive to achieve her goals was evident in her attitude, her physical readiness, and her genuine compassion for serving others. Kinlee represents the very best of what Butler Tech develops in their graduates—strong work ethic, professional, and a commitment to better the community she calls home.”
When she graduated and put on her uniform, the moment felt surreal. “I was very nervous…but when I got there, all the stress was gone,” she said.
Since joining the Road Patrol Division, Deputy Hoyle has made an impact in ways both big and small. She recalls one dispatch involving a young boy walking alone, “he told me that there were some things going on at home.” “He said the things he told me he’s never told anyone else before,” Kinlee shared. She drove him safely to his grandmother’s house and gave him water and candy. “It felt really special, honestly, that he was so trusting of me.”
Deputy Kinlee Hoyle approaches every day with purpose and positivity. “You have to go into it with an open mind and just try to see the joy in everything, even if it’s really hard to find it.” When reflecting on what protect and serve means to her, she said, “You don’t get to pick and choose who you protect and serve. It’s for everyone.”
She also prioritizes her well-being—mentally and physically. Powerlifting has been her outlet for years, and she’s proud of what she has achieved at competitions and during training. “I’ve squatted 336 pounds, deadlifted 352, and bench 166 pounds. I love the community that it brings.” 
Looking back on her journey, she hopes future cadets, especially women, see what is possible. “We can do everything a man can do. We’re just as strong mentally,” she said. Her advice is simple: “Just keep going…it’s worth it.”
Kinlee’s story reflects what Butler Tech is all about: empowering adults to pursue meaningful careers, fueling passion through hands-on training, and preparing graduates to make a lasting impact in the community they serve.