Termination hearing held for Warren County deputy

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A termination hearing was held Wednesday in Courtroom D at the Warren County Justice Center to determine whether deputy Mark Heyungs will be dismissed from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

During the hearing, attorneys presented arguments regarding several incidents involving Heyungs over the past year.

Heyungs’ attorney, David Agnew, argued his client became a target after being reassigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Agnew claimed Heyungs faced harassment and retaliation, including crude jokes and internal pushback after attempting to report concerns through proper channels.

Agnew addressed multiple incidents cited by the department, including a 2005 traffic stop pursuit, a yard sale investigation tied to suspected stolen property, a mistaken identity arrest, a crime scene response on East Heights, a vehicle inspection dispute and a December 7, 2025 traffic stop involving a phone seizure connected to a voyeurism investigation.

Regarding an allegation that Heyungs accused another deputy of being intoxicated on the job, Agnew said that claim stemmed from a miscommunication between himself and his client. Agnew took full responsibility for the misunderstanding.

Amy Chandler, the Warren County attorney, said the incidents demonstrated a pattern of poor judgment and policy violations. She stated Heyungs failed to properly notify supervisors in a wrongful arrest case, mishandled a murder scene by not securing it appropriately, improperly directed a vehicle inspection outcome, and violated constitutional protections during the yard sale investigation.

Chandler also addressed the December 2025 traffic stop, stating the phone seized as potential evidence was improperly taken. WKU Police later returned the phone, determining it should not have been confiscated.

While acknowledging Heyungs’ years of military and law enforcement service, Chandler said his performance became concerning beginning in early 2025 and argued termination is warranted.

Sheriff Brett Hightower requested both attorneys submit their findings electronically by Monday, Feb. 23. He will have 48 hours to review the materials before making a final decision.