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Gary W. Moore, Boone County Judge/Executive, has appointed Colonel Les Hill as the next Boone County Sheriff. Col. Hill will succeed Sheriff Mike Helmig, who has announced his retirement, effective April 15, 2025. Col. Hill is set to assume the role at the stroke of midnight on April 16, 2025.
Sharing his approval of the appointment, Gary W. Moore stated, "I am so pleased to share that Col. Les Hill is my appointment for Boone County Sheriff. One of the most desirable qualities of a community is a safe place to live and raise a family. Les is a well-known and well-respected leader who will uphold that promise to our residents and those that come into our County every day. That dedication, paired with his commitment to innovate, grow and evolve services and programs to meet the needs of our community, ensures a bright and exciting future for the Sheriff’s Office and our entire county."
Col. Hill expressed his appreciation, saying, "It is the honor of a lifetime to be appointed Boone County Sheriff by Judge/Executive Moore. My pledge is that I, along with my entire staff, will continue to deliver superior services. I look forward to building on the strong partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, the Judge/Executive’s Office and the Fiscal Court to innovate and implement the services and programs that will ensure our residents, especially our children, remain safe and supported."
With a long-standing career at the Sheriff's Office that began in 1989, Col. Hill rose to the position of Chief Deputy in May 1997 and served as interim sheriff from December 2014 to January 2015.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office, established in 1798, is currently the largest full-service Sheriff’s Office within the Commonwealth. It comprises nearly 190 sworn deputies and is recognized for its leadership in law enforcement both at the county and state levels.
“We laid the foundation to build the county and Sheriff’s Office into what it is today,” Moore reflected on his time working alongside Sheriff Helmig. Recognizing the changes over the years, Moore added, "From merging the Boone County Police and Sheriff’s Office, to the development of the drug strike force, implementation of Police Social Workers, and – of course – being the first to place School Resource Officers in high schools – Boone County is a better place thanks to his dedication, vision and commitment to the residents of our county."
Col. Hill acknowledged Sheriff Helmig's contribution, stating, "Sheriff Helmig has been instrumental in developing the Office’s reputation in the county and state. I am committed to advancing that reputation as we look for new opportunities to modernize the department and carry forward proven programs such as School Resource Officers and Police Social Workers."
Addressing the dedication of the staff, Hill noted, "I would be remiss not to mention the men and women who serve our residents every day. Their hard work, dedication, and willingness to place themselves in harm’s way does not go unnoticed by command staff and our community. I am eager to work with our deputies and create opportunities for professional development that will help them achieve their career goals."
Col. Hill will serve until the next county-wide election in 2026. Under Kentucky law, the Judge/Executive is responsible for filling vacancies for county elected positions such as Sheriff.
