Would you ever think that a 1975 Southern Lehigh graduate would be involved in examining one of America’s most high-profile murder cases? Well, alumna Sally J. Koch Keglovits recently spent time in Kansas looking into the original files of the Clutter family murders, a crime showcased in Truman Capote’s famous novel “In Cold Blood.”

“I have been to the Clutter farm and all points related to the crime,” Keglovits said. “I’ve published several articles related to the murders and am currently consulting on a new book that re-examines the crime and its aftermath.”

In high school, Keglovits was the president of Student Senate, which is now known as Student Council. She was also a member of the debate team and The Spotlight, and was the class speaker at her graduation.

Influenced by her father, a police reporter, and a professor that introduced her to Truman Capote, natural leader Keglovits landed herself a spot at American University in Washington, D.C. However, she ended up transferring to Harvard University, and graduated in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in American Government. Keglovits later moved on to Lehigh University to obtain her master’s degree in 1997, and was hired at the United States Probation Office.

“The job of supervising criminals and officers does have its ‘adrenaline moments’ which can be pretty exciting, and testifying in court will make or break you,” Keglovits said. “The downside is that there is a lot of governmental bureaucracy which can drive you crazy. Dealing with federal judges is also no picnic. There are many good ones and several whose arrogance exceeds their intelligence.”

Regardless of the ups and downs, Keglovits loved working on higher level criminal cases. In fact, she was so good at her job that when she retired back in 2009, she changed her name on social media.

“There were a few criminals who were not exactly fans of mine,” Keglovits said. “I figured it might be best to use a different name on social media.”

She now spends her time spreading her knowledge to others by teaching Criminal Justice at DeSales University.

In terms of advice for those soon entering the college and workforce?

“Follow your heart,” Keglovits said. “Otherwise, you’ll probably end up breaking it.”