Barren County welcomes new Sheriff
GLASGOW Ky. – Barren County welcomed a new sheriff Friday as Adam Bow was sworn into office ahead of Sheriff Kent Keen’s retirement.
Keen, who has served as Barren County sheriff for 13 years, announced he would not complete the remainder of his term. His retirement takes effect Saturday, with Bow officially assuming office Sunday, Nov. 1.
Bow brings years of law enforcement experience to the position, having started his career at 23 years old.
He previously served with the Glasgow Police Department before joining the Barren County Sheriff’s Office in 2011.
Throughout his career, Bow has held several positions, including patrol deputy, school resource officer, K-9 officer and detective.
During Friday’s ceremony, Bow was joined by family members as he reflected on his connection to the community and his motivation for serving.
“I was born and raised here, graduated from Barren County High School in 2004,” Bow said. “It’s just home. It’s always been home. I’m raising my family here. I want to make sure it’s a safe place and a good place for them to stay and raise their families and continue moving Barren County forward.”
As part of the leadership transition, deputies with the Barren County Sheriff’s Office were also sworn in under Bow’s administration.
Bow said he hopes to build on the foundation established by his predecessor while introducing new resources to strengthen the department.
Among the planned additions are a grant-funded virtual reality training system, technology that will allow investigators to extract data from cellphones without sending the devices elsewhere and two new K-9s.
Glasgow Police Chief ,Guy Howie, who has worked with Bow for several years, described him as a good person and skilled detective.
Howie also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong working relationship between the Glasgow Police Department and the Barren County Sheriff’s Office.
“Even though we have different jobs, we have a similar mission to both the citizens of Glasgow and the citizens of Barren County,” Howie said. “We can’t be an island. Either one of us can’t be an island, and there’s times that we need each other’s support and backing.”
As Bow prepares to take office, he says his focus remains on protecting the community he has called home his entire life while continuing to move the sheriff’s office forward.
