The Leitchfield Police Department crowned its Officer of the Year over the weekend at the city of Leitchfield’s Christmas party.
Sgt. Keith Harrell, with LPD since February 2015, and who was selected a sergeant in August 2019, has been elected LPD’s Officer of the Year. He began his career in law enforcement in 2011 with the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office.
Harrell, who works primarily third shift, is obviously highly respected by his peers for his strong work ethic, honesty and ability to deal with the public in what are many times difficult and trying times.
“Like I told them when I presented him with the award, he was elected by his peers,” Police Chief David Riley said, “by his fellow officers. This guy works third shift while everyone else is sleeping; you never see him, but he’s out there working, protecting all of us.”
The fact that Harrell works at night could lead to an out-of-sight-out-of-mind mindset among his fellow officers, but his impact is such that Harrell is impossible to forget, and his accomplishments and professionalism difficult to ignore.
“Keith being elected Officer of the Year shows his peers have not forgotten him,” Riley said. “He contributes so much to the department … he just earned the rank of sergeant and he’s doing a great job for us as a supervisor. I look for him one of these days, when I give these reins to somebody else, I hope a young man like him gets the reins and carries on.”
In addition to Harrell’s promotion to sergeant, he has also achieved other professional goals this year, including becoming a firearms instructor.
“It’s been a busy year for me at the Leitchfield Police Department,” Harrell noted, “and I’ve accomplished many goals and have a lot to be thankful for. First, I was fortunate enough to be considered worthy of the rank of sergeant, then was able to fulfill a longtime desire to be a firearms instructor. I’ve also been given the opportunity to oversee the department’s grants and federal overtime.”
Harrell, always humble, said that being elected Officer of the Year is something he’ll always appreciate and hold dear to his heart, but it’s an accomplishment he would not have achieved if not for those he works with, both on the job and at home.
“One of my greatest accomplishments was being awarded Officer of the Year by my peers, who I work with every day,” Harrell beamed. “To say that I’m grateful would be an understatement. It’s one of the proudest moments of my career. Although I have worked hard to meet these goals, I know I would not be he here if not for the support I have received both at work and at home. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by people able and willing to help me with every decision I make, and for that I’m truly grateful. I want to say thank you to everyone who voted for me, it is a true honor and I am excited to see what the next year brings.”
(Photo: l-r, Chief David Riley, Sgt. Keith Harrell, Mayor Rick Embry)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
