Sheriff John Root
Laurel County Sheriff Office
The 2019 Kentucky Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year uses his leadership skills like professional putty to be molded into proactive, progressive law enforcement for the men and women who serve in his office. After 20 years of law enforcement service with the London Kentucky Police Department and the Kentucky State Police John Root was elected to the position of Laurel County Sheriff in January of 2011. Since that time Sheriff Root has literally transformed the entire Laurel County Sheriff’s Office both organizationally and administratively.
Getting involved in both local community activities and cooperative law enforcement task force operations, Sheriff Root has used his training and experience to provide mobile digital terminals in all Sheriff’s vehicles. Additionally, all Sheriff’s vehicles have been upgraded to provide a professional fleet for deputies.
Sheriff Root also put together a new special response unit trained by the Kentucky Tactical Officers Association. The Sheriff has assigned two deputies from his office to work with the DEA London Kentucky Task Force that resulted in a $1.6 million seizure for the Sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Root was recently selected by U.S. Attorney Rob Duncan to sit on a law enforcement community board that meets quarterly to discuss issues of concern in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Sheriff Root and his wife Amy spearhead an annual Easter Dress Drive for underprivileged girls in their community. The program provides over 700 dresses to young girls so that they may enjoy getting a new dress for Easter.
Sheriff John Root is a leader who continues to make a difference in the lives of those who work for him as well as in the community where he proudly serves as Sheriff.
The 2019 Kentucky Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year is Laurel County Sheriff John Root.