Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain announced Wednesday he will not be seeking re-election next year. Cain also endorsed Chief Deputy Major Barry Smith, who officially announced his candidacy for sheriff.
Cain has served as Daviess County Sheriff since 1999, though he has served continuously with DCSO since 1974. His career includes serving in the capacities of patrol deputy, chief deputy, and the chief of investigations. His work experience also includes extensive narcotics investigations, both in an undercover capacity as well as case investigator.
Cain said to be elected to his first term in 1999 was the realization of a career-long dream, and to be chosen for the next five terms after that was humbling.
“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be able to give back to the community that I’ve lived in my entire life,” Cain said. “I found nothing more satisfying or more worthwhile than to give back to the people who have given so very much to me and my family.”
Cain said over the past 24 years, DCSO has built on achievements of those who came before him, and that his administration has had their own significant successes.
Personally, Cain was named the 2018 Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs’ Association. In 2004 and 2008, he was the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Law Enforcement, making him the first officer in the history of the award to receive it twice.
His list of accomplishments goes on, but Cain paid special thanks to the staff he’s had while at DCSO.
After noting some of their efforts, achievements and training programs instituted over the last few decades, Cain officially said he would not be seeking another term as sheriff — a decision he said “was not taken lightly, nor was easily reached.”
However, he said the once choice that was easy was his endorsement for Smith, with Cain saying Smith is “hands down the most qualified to assume the duties of sheriff.”
“I can attest that there isn’t much that he hasn’t seen or encountered during those years,” Cain said. “I can assure you of his intimate knowledge of every facet of operations at the Sheriff’s Office, from law enforcement to his astute understanding of business and the tax collection side of our business.”
Noting some may question why he would endorse anyone without knowing who may file to run for sheriff, Cain said the reason was simple.
“No one is more prepared to come here next year,” Cain said. “In fact, my decision to retire was much decided on him taking the helm in my absence.”
Smith said he and his campaign committee have been working behind the scenes for the last couple of months, but he officially announced his candidacy to be the next sheriff on Wednesday.
Smith also announced the endorsements of the last three chief deputies — David “Oz” Osborne, current Coroner Jeff Jones, and JD Marksberry.
“For the last 27 years, I’ve proudly worn this brown uniform and devoted my life to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office,” Smith said. “My career is more than a job. It has become a passion.”
Smith was born and raised in Owensboro, and he started his career with DCSO in 1995 as a patrol deputy. He has spent his entire career in the patrol division and has served in all supervisory positions. In 2010, Smith was promoted to lieutenant of patrol and in 2016 to captain of patrol. In August 2017, he was promoted to his present rank as chief deputy.
Smith’s awards include the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Deputy of the Year, American Police Hall of Fame Silver Star for Bravery, and Law Enforcement Medal of Valor, among others.
Smith said these are trying times in the country, specifically for law enforcement professionals, but he plans to work hard for the community.
“My motivation is to adapt to the constant changes in society, and provide the service that you deserve and have come to expect from our Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “As your sheriff, I’d be honored to carry on the leadership of our office and service to our community. I promise to lead the outstanding deputies that don the badge and wear the uniform, working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our citizens with the dedication that they deserve.”
Smith said the most valuable commodity at DCSO is their employees.
“We must continue to give them the tools they need to succeed,” he said. “Our efforts to recruit and retain the best of the best will be a challenge, one we must focus on and prosper for the better. When elected, my promise to you is that the operations will continue within the Sheriff’s Office in a progressive, accountable and community-first approach.”
Smith noted that while the sheriff is an elected position, he is not a “politician.”
“What I am is a career Deputy Sheriff, and I have refined the trade from some of the best, and grew through the ranks of the office,” he said. “My aspirations remain to provide an unwavering professional service to you. I’ve honed my skills and knowledge of all operations of the office and prepared myself for this day to continue as a public servant to the office to the constituents.”
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