Termination hearing held for Warren County deputy running for sheriff begins

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – The first day of a termination hearing Wednesday for Warren County Deputy Mark Heyungs, who is currently running for Warren County Sheriff, centered on allegations of policy violations, supervisory failures and constitutional concerns raised by his own agency.

Heyungs, a former sergeant who had been demoted back to patrol before his suspension, was suspended without pay Dec. 7, three days after publicly announcing his campaign for Warren County sheriff.

Under Kentucky law, Sheriff Brett Hightower is serving as the hearing officer in the case.

The hearing began Wednesday afternoon at the Warren County Justice Center and lasted several hours, with testimony from command staff, outside law enforcement, a dispatcher, a civilian employee and a citizen involved in one of the incidents. 

At the start of the hearing, Hightower outlined procedural rules.

He noted that while objections could be made, the hearing would continue once rulings were issued.

“I’m neither a judge or an Attorney,” Hightower said. 

On behalf of the county counsel, represented by Amy Chandler, Warren County Attorney stated her position clearly.

“I will support the recommendation for the termination,” she said.

The county’s first witness, Chief Deputy Kevin Wiles, testified for over an hour about a series of incidents in 2025 that he said demonstrated declining performance and judgment.

Regarding a May yard sale encounter that sparked discussion online, Wiles testified, saying he believes deputies should not randomly go to yard sales to investigate the products that are being sold. 

“We had hundreds of complaints,” Wiles testified. “It really took a toll on the whole agency.”

Wiles described the internal impact as well.

“It was a really, really hard time,” he said.

He also testified about a letter from Heyungs’ attorney alleging a detective was intoxicated on duty.

Wiles noted that nobody who worked there, including Mark, had direct knowledge of the allegation. 

Wiles testified that the cumulative incidents led him to conclude Heyungs should not remain in a supervisory role.

“He is out of his depth. This is beyond his capabilities,” he said.

Western Kentucky University Police Chief Mitch Walker testified in relation to a December traffic stop in which Heyungs seized a cellphone from a driver after serving a criminal summons related to a university case.

Walker testified that his department had requested the phone but was confused by the seizure after being informed it was obtained during a traffic stop.

Dispatcher Sarah Davis, who was called to the stand third, testified that she was instructed to contact WKU police during the traffic stop.

Daniel McCurry, who was pulled over by Heyungs, testified that he complied during the stop and that his phone was taken.

Following the traffic stop, Sheriff Hightower had asked McCurry to come to the office and file a complaint.

“Presumably because…him unlawfully taking my phone”, McCurry answered after being asked by Chandler if he knew why Hightower would ask him to file a complaint.

Lori Husky, a civilian vehicle inspector, testified about an incident in which she said Heyungs questioned her inspection decision regarding window tint inspections.

Husky didn’t realize that was something we were supposed to be looking at, she had claimed.

Sheriff Hightower later issued a clarification to staff via email, according to testimony.

Heyungs testified in his own defense, outlining his 20-year Army career and his employment with the sheriff’s office beginning in 2021.

A separate attorney, Lonnie Thomas Cooper, claimed he was an expert witness and argued that the deputy was within his fourth amendment right to seize McCurry’s phone. 

“It was a critical, appropriate thing to do. It wasn’t just not a violation,” he said.

The hearing adjourned Wednesday evening just before 6:00 p.m. after testimony concluded. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m., after which Sheriff Hightower will determine whether Heyungs will be terminated.