Behind the Badge: Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Published 6:00 am Sunday, September 8, 2024
- BRETT HIGHTOWER
Editor’s note: Behind the Badge is a monthly feature spotlighting law enforcement.
AGENCY MISSION & RESPONSIBILITY
The Mission of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office is to protect and uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky while supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States. While most only see the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in our designated vehicles throughout the community, we also pursue the mission of comprehensive crime prevention, illegal incident interventions, equitable enforcement of county ordinances and state statues we are responsible for a tax collections, vehicle inspections, concealed weapons permits, courtroom security, protection of judiciary members/Judges, 24/7 traffic patrol, Criminal Investigation Division, County and City School resource officers, prisoner transport teams, Warren County Animal Control, 24/7 dispatch fielding emergency and non-emergency calls, to diverse citizen support and educational programs and more.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office polices Warren County and has jurisdiction in the City of Bowling Green, when necessary. By contrast, Metro Police is the primary responding agency in larger populated counties like Jefferson and Fayette.
In conjunction with the Warren County jailer, local and state corrections the sheriffs office is responsible for managing the flow of prisoners between jail, courtroom and state prison facilities as well in most instances handling out of state extraditions that involve transporting prisoners from far reaching locations in the United States returning them to Kentucky for criminal prosecution.
As the sheriff, I am legally required to attend all Warren County Fiscal Court meetings or delegate an individual to represent me on my behalf. I or a designated individual has a legal obligation to sit as a member of the County Board of Elections to ensure the voting process is secure during an election year.
A rare and surprising duty of the sheriffs office is when we are called to administer the estate of a deceased individual in the absence of no known heirs, legal personal representative, public administrator or legal guardian.
The sheriff’s office is also permitted through KRS (Kentucky Revised Statutes) 431.250 to attend the execution of an individual convicted in Warren County, although attendance is not mandatory.
AGENCY CHALLENGES
COVID-19 presented many challenges for the sheriff’s office. Our main challenge was the decision by the Department of Criminal Justice Training to suspend their academy training for new hires for nine months. The result of this decision caused a chain reaction with the inability to send new hires through the academy. To date, we continue to work through a backlog of individuals needing to attend the academy, which on average requires four to five months to get a new hire scheduled. This decision affected many law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The hiring procedure of a new deputy can take roughly 20 months, which includes the initial hiring processes, attending the academy as well as post academy training before being out in the community on their own. Throughout the year, we must also forecast any potential retirements or transfers to ensure we have individuals in the pipeline and qualified to fill these positions.
As the growth of Warren County continues, the sheriff’s office is working together with our fiscal court to make any necessary adjustments to handle the projected increased 911 emergency call volume.
HAPPENINGS/ANNOUNCEMENTS (The week ahead)
September 9-13: The Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference (closed event).
Continuing Education for 200 +/- Kentucky Law Enforcement from across the State.
September 10: 4:30pm – 7:00pm First Responders Night /Chick-fil-A Nashville Road at Campbell Lane (free event).
Meet First Responders, take a look inside vehicles, gain knowledge and more.
September 14: 2nd annual Warren County Sheriff’s Foundation Gala (ticket purchase required).
To learn more visit https://www.warrencountysheriffsfoundation.com/
AGENCY FOUNDATION
The Warren County Sheriff’s Foundation established in 2022 as a 501(c) not-for-profit foundation was created to accept monetary donations in any amount to help offset equipment and telecommunications enhancements, continuing education as well as a family hardship fund – all that reach over and beyond funds provided by Warren County Government.
To learn more visit: https://www.warrencountysheriffsfoundation.com/
TIP/HOTLINE (911 for Emergencies)
Report a crime, provide an anonymous tip or request traffic/speed enforcement by visiting the Warren County Sheriff’s Office website https://warrencountykysheriff.com/
Years of Service in Current Role: 6 years
What led you to a career in Law Enforcement: I had recently graduated from Western Kentucky University and was contemplating transitioning from the Marine Reserves to active duty and attending the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. During this time, a friend working with the Bowling Green Police Department asked if I wanted to do a ride along with him during his shift. I went with him and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the community is such a different perspective. This led me to apply and was subsequently hired in January 1994.
Prior positions Held and with Whom: During my tenure with BGPD, I held the positions of Patrolman, Detective with the Warren County Drug Task Force, Sergeant, and Captain.
Following my retirement from BGPD, I served as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s office. My role as LEC was a liaison between the local, state, and federal law enforcement within those 53 counties in the Western District of Kentucky and the United States Attorney. I worked as LEC for 5 years.
I was then elected as the Waren County Sheriff in Nov 2018.
Accolades: I have been honored to receive many awards throughout my career but most notable are my Bronze Star and Purple Heart from my deployment to Afghanistan in 2008.
Hometown: Although Louisville, KY was where I was born and raised, I consider Bowling Green, KY my hometown. I have spent many more years here and have even further deepened the roots my Grandfather, Ted Hightower, which were planted in 1966 when he moved to Bowling Green to take the role as minister at the State Street United Methodist Church.
Family Information: My wife and I are the proud parents of our four children.
