Clarence Kelley was destined to enter law enforcement. He was nicknamed ‘Chief’ in Northeast High School where he batted .300 on the baseball team. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas and then studied law at the University of Kansas City and subsequently became a member of the Missouri Bar. After college he joined the FBI and in 1943 enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific. He returned to the FBI after the war and became an administrator handling criminal cases in ten cities across the country.

In 1961 Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy recommended Kelley to take over as police chief of Kansas City. He pioneered the use of computers to trace criminals, initiated using a helicopter to patrol the city, created the metro squad to deal with major crimes, recruited and promoted black policemen and founded the Office of Citizen Complaints. Kansas City’s police department became a national model. He served as police chief for 12 years, from 1961 to 1973.

Following FBI Interim Director L. Patrick Gray's resignation during the Watergate investigation, a temporary director was named to fill the post while a search was conducted for a new director. Twenty-seven candidates were considered for the position and on June 7, 1973, President Richard Nixon chose Clarence Kelley. At this time, when the Watergate scandal prompted distrust, Kelley assured the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had never bowed to political pressure. He was quickly approved and became the first FBI Director attain the position through the nomination and Senate approval process. When Jimmy Carter became President, Kelley was replaced as FBI director and he returned to Kansas City where he founded an investigation and security organization, employing many former FBI investigators.

The Library and Resource Center at Northeast High School is named after Kelley.