Kent Keen has been named the new Barren County Sheriff.
Barren County Judge-Executive Davie Greer made the announcement to a standing-room only crowd at the county courthouse Monday afternoon.
Keen worked at the Glasgow Police Department before joining the Barren County Sheriff's Department as a school resource officer. He has over 20 year of experience in law enforcement.
Keen takes over from Chris Eaton, who resigned the position last week before being sentenced to 18 months in prison for witness tampering.
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Barren County Judge-Executive Davie Greer will name a new sheriff Monday at a 4 p.m. news conference in Glasgow. Greer tells WKU Public Radio she changed her mind several times about what she was looking for in a sheriff.
"At first I thought I wanted a business person to come in there because there's a lot of business in that office. They handle all the money that comes in through property taxes and fees. It's a very important office," said Greer. "Then I decided I needed someone with law enforcement experience too because the deputies need some guidance. It's been a process I've given a lot of thought to."
She declined to say if her pick comes from within the department or outside. Greer says an important role for the new sheriff's priority will be restoring respect for the department.
"We've got to get people proud of that office again," Greer remarked.
The new sheriff of Barren County replaces Chris Eaton who resigned last week before his sentencing in federal court. He was given 18 months after a jury convicted him of felony witness tampering. Two other law enforcement officers were acquitted on all charges related to the alleged beating of a suspect and a cover-up that followed.
Eaton's replacement will serve the remainder of his term which expires next December.
WKU Public Radio will have details on the announcement during our newscasts in All Things Considered, on Facebook, and here.