Sheriff Kevin Byars was elected in November of 2006 and took office in January of 2007. He graduated from Marshall County High School in 1983. He attended Western Kentucky University and Murray State University where he majored in Biology. He began his law enforcement career at the Marshall County Detention Center in 1997, where he worked until 1999. In that year he was hired by the Kentucky State Park Rangers and assigned to Kenlake State Park. He is a graduate of the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy. In 2000 he was employed by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and served in the patrol division until 2001 when he was assigned as a Detective. Byars is a graduate of Basic Investigators School, Crime Scene Investigations, certified clandestine laboratory technician, certified in bio hazard removal, latent print identification, and has received training in computer crimes. He is a member of the Marshall County ASAP Board and the Child Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team. Sheriff Byars has attended training at the Kentucky Leadership Institute including an Orientation for New Sheriffs and several Police Executive Command Courses. Sheriff Byars has completed the Situational Leadership Program developed by the Center for Leadership Studies, and was the first sitting Sheriff in Kentucky to complete the Criminal Justice Executive Development Program at the Kentucky Leadership Institute. This is an intensive five- month program to prepare executives to lead in the 21st century. Sheriff Byars was appointed by former Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Commissioner Dr. John Bizzack to the Kentucky Police Executive Command Council. This body advises those that develop and provide training to all law enforcement supervision in Kentucky. In 2014, Sheriff Byars was elected by his peers to represent them on the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors. Sheriff Byars is currently serving in his third term on the board. He and his wife Jennifer, who also works at the Sheriff’s Office, live with their two daughters in Fairdealing.
Experience:
- 2007 – Present Sheriff, Marshall County
Serve as Sheriff for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office responsible for coordinating with other law enforcement agencies within Marshall County and their efforts within the community to preserve the public peace, protect the rights of persons and property, prevent crime, and generally provide assistance to citizens in urgent situations. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the collection of county taxes, security of the courts, the service of legal process and orders of the court, and the enforcement of Marshall County ordinances and Kentucky Revised Statures within the boundaries of Marshall County. The office provides services to an area of approximately 300 square miles, with over 900 miles of roadways, and a population base of approximately 32,000 citizens. The Sheriff’s Office responds to more than 20,000 calls for service annually.
- 2000 – 2006 Deputy Sheriff, Marshall County
Served as a Deputy Sheriff for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office performing patrol (road deputy) duties as well as investigative duties as a detective prior to being elected Sheriff in 2006.
- 1999 – 2000 Kentucky State Park Ranger
Served as a Kentucky State Park Ranger responsibility for enforcing state laws in the maintenance of order and the prevention of crime in a Kentucky State Park; and performs other duties as required. Served as Park Ranger at Kenlake State Park.
- 1997 – 1999 Deputy Jailer, Marshall County Jail and Detention Center
Deputy Jailer for the Marshall County Jail and Detention Center, assisting in the day to day operations and administration of the jail. Specifically responsible for the custody and care of the inmates as well as the maintenance of good order and discipline in the jail.
Education:
- Graduated Marshall County High School, 1983
- Attended Western Kentucky University and Murray State University majoring in Chemistry and Biology
Training:
Over 2000 hours of certified career training from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training and other sources that includes:
- Basic Training Academy, 1999
- Criminal Justice Executive Development (CJED), 2009 (First sitting Kentucky Sheriff to complete CJED)
- Orientation for New Sheriffs, 2007
- Police Executive Command Courses, 2007 through 2017
- Sheriffs Conference, 2008 through 2017 ( KSA Director )
- Situational Leadership for Supervisors and Managers, 2007
- National Sheriff’s Conference, 2012 – Present
- Kentucky KLEC Academy Instructor
- On DOCJT Committees for Executive Training and KY Post Critical Incident Seminars. Helped develop new Sheriff’s Course through DOCJT
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Additionally as Sheriff of Marshall County:
- Instrumental in the development and improvement of several programs during my tenure as Marshall County Sheriff including starting the Marshall County Marine Patrol Program, further developing the Marshall County Special Response Team, and overseeing the awards of over a $1 million dollars in federal and state grants.
- Past President Benton Lions Club.
- President of Marshall County Adult Learning Center Council.
- Member of Marshall County Health Coalition.
- Member of Advisory Board of Hope Clinic.
- Member of Kentucky Post Critical Incident Seminar Advisory Board.
- Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors
- Chair of Ranch Committee.
- Chair of Bylaws Committee
- Member Emergency Response Committee
- Member Training Committee