Nearly two years after Grayson County Fiscal Court approved the move, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office will this week transition its headquarter to the old Leitchfield Police Department building on South Main Street in Leitchfield.
In June 2021, Fiscal Court approved the purchase of the old Leitchfield PD headquarters for $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. In October 2021, magistrates approved the acquisition of the apartment complex behind the headquarters for $150,000 in ARPA money. The apartment complex was razed to make room for an addition to the existing building and to add a sizeable parking lot.
In addition to more parking space, the new sheriff’s office headquarters is a significant upgrade from its current location in many ways, including considerably more office space and building security and, because of the addition of a drive-thru window, more convenience for citizens.
“The building has been updated with an addition and remodeled to accommodate the duties of the sheriff’s office,” Sheriff Norman Chaffins said. “It has also been equipped with a drive-thru window which allows citizens to pay property taxes, get a vehicle inspected and pick up collision reports and other forms without leaving their vehicle.”
Additionally, the sheriff’s office evidence room has been completely revamped by the move.
“With Fiscal Court’s vision, we have completely transformed our evidence room and evidence tracking system by providing us with a secure building and software that will benefit future elected sheriffs, their deputies and most of all, our citizens,” Chaffins noted.
Providing citizens with expedience and increased accessibility to the sheriff’s office is the key aspect of the move to Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson.
“This was done so the office staff and deputies could have an updated facility that is more manageable for their everyday jobs. However, the most important part was that we wanted to have a facility that was more accessible than the current location on the square,” Henderson said. “I hope that the new facility serves the public well for many years to come.”
“On behalf of all our staff at the sheriff’s office, we would like to thank Judge Henderson and the entire Fiscal Court for their vision and follow-through with providing a much-needed overhaul of our office,” Chaffins said.
Henderson said the renovation of the new sheriff’s office cost approximately $600,000. He added that Fiscal Court will make a determination on plans for the old sheriff’s office building at a later date.
The sheriff’s office will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as the contents of the office are moved. The office will also be closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday. The move will not interfere with deputies’ regular duties.
The new Grayson County Sheriff’s Office headquarters will open at 9:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, with the Grand Opening ceremony held at 11:00 a.m.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
