She probably wanted him to use what influence he may have been able to exert on the police, to motivate them or just to get information.
Wouldn’t you call your Senator in a situation like this, if he were a personal acquaintance?
I think I would have called the local LE first, the senator second. The police can be on scene in minutes. That’s just me, I guess. Maybe she felt that the Sheriff’s department is worthless. Actually, I think Kelly’s influence might make things worse.