The Optimist Club of Greater Fresno has presented its “Respect for Law” award to Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Coroner Kelly Matlock.
She has been recognized for her outstanding service to the community, specifically her personal and professional commitment to the dignity of deceased children in Fresno County. In 2012, Matlock helped establish Garden of Innocence - Fresno County. The group oversees a national burial program that ensures children found abandoned or left unidentified are given a loving goodbye. Matlock spends her personal time and resources to provide the best service to these innocents. She has taken a personal interest in assuring the community is present to give a dignified farewell to the children.
“Deputy Coroner Matlock gave 100% of herself to the project, making sure each child was treated separately and with tremendous dignity. To this day she remains a committed partner,” said Elissa Davey, Founder of Garden of Innocence.
Matlock is in constant contact with Fresno County Garden of Innocence (GOI) board members. Fresno County GOI does burials in May and October each year for abandoned children at Mountain View Cemetery. Planning usually starts a few months before the burial where the committee meets to get organized. The burial is able to take place due to all the hard work from the volunteers and those in the community that donate services.
To ensure this project stays relevant and focused, Matlock uses her personal time to stay involved with the board's services and fundraisers. She explains that she feels very protective of the babies and making sure that they handled with the utmost dignity. To this end, she personally ensures the babies leave the Coroner’s Office and arrive safely at their final resting place.
Deputy Coroner Matlock began working for the Fresno County Coroner’s Office in November 2002 after graduating from Fresno State with a Criminology degree.
