[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF STEVE SPARROW

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, over the past two decades, one man has 
revolutionized law enforcement in Kentucky's Oldham County and built a 
reputation as one of the Commonwealth's best sheriffs. Steve Sparrow 
has served as Oldham County's sheriff since 1999 and, in his time 
leading the county's police force, has brought professionalism, 
dedication, and, above all, devotion to the rule of law to his 
community. This year, Sheriff Sparrow is retiring from his post. I ask 
my colleagues to join me in honoring his career and the lasting legacy 
he built in Oldham County.
  Sheriff Sparrow began his career in law enforcement nearly 50 years 
ago, at a time when Oldham County's population was less than a quarter 
of its current size. As this burgeoning community expanded into one of 
Kentucky's fastest growing counties, Sheriff Sparrow's leadership 
helped Oldham County maintain its reputation for safety and 
neighborliness. Under his purview, the area remains one of the most 
desirable places to live in the Commonwealth.
  Sheriff Sparrow didn't achieve this high level of law enforcement 
efficacy by accident. As sheriff, he dedicated himself to furthering 
professional training for both himself and his department. He is the 
only sheriff in Oldham County history to have trained at a certified 
law enforcement academy and the only Oldham County sheriff to have 
graduated from the National Sheriff's Institute. He brought similar 
high levels of training to his department, making Oldham County 
Sheriff's Office the fifth in the Commonwealth to achieve accreditation 
standards.
  In recognition of Sheriff Sparrow's hard work to improve Oldham 
County's police department, the Kentucky Sheriff's Association named 
Sheriff Sparrow their president in both 2005 and 2012. He received 
additional praise and leadership roles from Kentucky's Governor, the 
Kentucky Law Enforcement Board of Directors, and the National Sheriff's 
Association Board of Directors. Oldham County voters also strongly 
approved of Sheriff Sparrow's performance, reelecting him to his office 
six times in a row.
  Leaders around the Commonwealth will be sad to see Sheriff Sparrow 
leave his role. He has been one of my closest partners in the law 
enforcement community, and I have been proud to lean on his expertise 
to back the blue at the Federal level. Though we will all miss Sheriff 
Sparrow's leadership, I know he will put his retirement to good use, 
spending more time with his wife Dotty and their children and 
grandchildren. On behalf of the Senate, I share our congratulations 
with Sheriff Sparrow for achieving this milestone and wish him the best 
in this next chapter of his life.

                          ____________________