From
Badge to
Crown

​​From Badge to Crown: Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Purpose

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Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Terrilynn Moore Smith has built a life defined by service, strength, and transformation. While her early years included time on the stage as a founding member of the Denver Black Arts Theater Company, her true calling emerged in public service—where she would break barriers and forge a path few had walked before.

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Terrilynn became one of the rare African American women to serve in the Denver Police Department, earning a reputation as a fair, principled, and compassionate officer. Throughout her distinguished career, she worked tirelessly to bridge divides, strengthen community trust, and ensure that every person she encountered felt seen, heard, and protected. In moments when tensions ran high, Terrilynn stood steady—modeling the integrity and humanity that define true leadership.

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Family has always been her grounding force. Terrilynn is married to her junior-high sweetheart, Quade Smith, and is a proud mother and devoted grandmother. The values she brought to her work—love, resilience, and commitment—are the same ones she nurtures at home.

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After retiring from the police force, Terrilynn embraced a new chapter that elevated her influence even further: she became the first retired Denver Police Officer to be crowned Ms. Colorado Senior America 2025. She proudly calls it the best job she has ever had. To Terrilynn, the crown is more than a title—it is a platform for dignity, diplomacy, and empowering others to recognize their own strength.

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Today, as a public speaker, Terrilynn shares her powerful journey from badge to crown, inspiring audiences with lessons on courage, service, and stepping boldly into one’s purpose. Her story is a testament to what is possible when you lead with heart—and choose to rise, again and again.

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