Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines celebrated for legacy as Warren County Sheriff

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Around 50 Warren Countians packed the house Thursday morning inside the Warren Fiscal Courtroom.

It was during a retirement party to say their goodbyes to Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines, the longest-serving Warren County Sheriff.

Friends and former colleagues refer to Gaines as a genuine people person and a man who truly enjoyed serving the public.

Gaines served as Sheriff for 40 years.

He officially leaves office at 12 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Gaines wants to be remembered as someone who enjoyed helping others, which he said Thursday during his going away party.

We spoke to Jailer Stephen Harmon, who worked for Gaines for several years before becoming the jailer.

He describes his former boss as a man of the people.

Gaines was also presented an award by the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force for his contributions on their board.

Republican Brett Hightower was also in attendance to recognize Gaines.

Hightower unseated Gaines in the November election, winning 58 percent of the vote.

He now looks to leave his own mark as the next Sheriff in town.