Portion of training academy in Madisonville pays homage to Jerry ‘Peanuts’ Gaines

MADISONVILLE, Ky. – A local name is making its place in history in Madisonville.

According to a social media post by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, one of the two new buildings being constructed in Madisonville for the Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy is being named after former Warren County Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines.

The agency says this is a true honor to Gaines’ service to Warren County and Kentucky.

On Wednesday, the Beshear-Coleman administration, along with law enforcement officers and local leaders, broke ground on the training facility.

Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson represented the governor at the event, who was unable to travel due to inclement weather.

According to a release by the governor’s office, Gov. Andy Beshear said the groundbreaking is a testament to the administration’s pledge to make Kentucky a national leader in public safety while making sure those who protect the Commonwealth have needed tools and resources.

“This new campus helps ensure recruits from western Kentucky can receive the best training without having to drive hours to Richmond each day,” Beshear said. “It’s another way we’re working to make sure our brave officers have the resources, equipment and support needed to return home safely to their families at the end of each shift.”

Construction is expected to be completed in September 2027, the release says.

When completed, the governor’s office says the facility will support two basic training recruit classes concurrently, with a total of four classes graduating from the facility each year with an average of 30 officers.

The new campus, once operational, will bring 20 full-time jobs with an average salary of $60,000 to the Madisonville area, according to officials.