She was born on July 15, 1970 the daughter of Charles and Jeannie (Mayfield) Cornell. She graduated with honors from Central Missouri State College with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She also graduated at the top of her class at Central Missouri State Police Academy. She was a Police Officer with Parkville and Richmond Police Departments. Her last employment, was as a Sergeant with the Country Club Village Police Department.
Survivors include her father, Charles (Pat) Cornell of Springfield, MO; her mother, Jeannie (Tom) Gray of Republic, MO; her sister, Melody Burge of Ozark, MO; and her brother, Scott Cornell of Springfield, MO; her niece, Briere Robertson of Republic, MO.