01/01/2026
Today is a very special and meaningful moment for United In Blue.
I, Zack Grady, am honored to share that I nominated Karla Pope to serve as the new President of United In Blue, and our board members unanimously voted in support of this decision. Karla’s lifelong dedication to law enforcement, education, and service makes her the perfect person to lead this organization into its next chapter.
While I am not stepping away from United In Blue, I will be serving in a different capacity as we continue to grow and expand our mission. United In Blue has always been more than an organization to me—it has been a dream and a calling. Since 2016, the vision has been to bridge the gap between our first responder community and the community they serve. To be a voice that fights for them. To step in during difficult times. To stand beside those who protect us every day.
None of this would have been possible without our incredible community, our supporters, and the volunteers who believe—just as I do—that the backbone of a thriving community is its first responders. Seeing how far we have come is truly humbling.
With Karla’s leadership, I know United In Blue will persevere and reach even greater heights. She brings unmatched experience, integrity, and heart to this role, and I am confident she will push this organization even further than we ever imagined. We have big plans ahead, and I am beyond excited to see this vision continue to come to life.
About President Karla Pope:
Karla began her law enforcement career in 1984 with the Laurel Police Department, serving as a patrolman and a founding member of the department’s K9 Division. She later joined the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, where she established the D.A.R.E. program in local schools. Her career spans decades of service in law enforcement, education, and training, including roles with Gulfport Police Department and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve officer, K9 deputy, mounted patrol deputy, and academy trainer.
Karla holds a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Ph.D. in Administration of Justice. She served for nearly 20 years as a criminal justice instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and currently serves as the Criminal Justice Department Chair at William Carey University.
Karla has been married to retired Gulfport Police Captain Pat Pope for 30 years and is the proud mother of Paxton and Peyton Marie.
Please join me in congratulating President Karla Pope as we move forward—united in purpose, united in service, and united in blue. 💙
- Zack Grady
