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5 Essential Roles Of The Fayette County Kentucky Sheriff's Department In 2025: Beyond Patrols

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The Fayette County Kentucky Sheriff’s Department, operating out of Lexington, KY, is far more than a traditional law enforcement agency. As of December 20, 2025, the office remains a professional, full-service agency dedicated to balancing community safety with critical governmental and judicial support functions that are essential to the daily operation of Fayette County.

This department's unique structure and diverse responsibilities—ranging from collecting hundreds of millions in property taxes to protecting the judiciary—make it a cornerstone of public service in Central Kentucky. Understanding its multifaceted role is key to appreciating how the office, under its current leadership, contributes to the overall quality of life and public safety in the region.

Sheriff Kathy Witt: Leadership and Profile

The Fayette County Sheriff's Department is currently led by Sheriff Kathy Witt. Sheriff Witt is a long-standing figure in Lexington's law enforcement community, having been re-elected in the general election for Fayette County Sheriff on November 8, 2022.

  • Current Sheriff: Kathy H. Witt
  • Location: 150 N. Limestone St Ste 265, Lexington, KY 40507
  • Core Philosophy: Committed to serving the community with Honor, Courage, and Integrity, with a focus on enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
  • Term: Re-elected in 2022, continuing her tenure as one of the county's most prominent elected officials.
  • Emphasis: The Sheriff's message often highlights the importance of new ideas and suggestions from citizens as vital to improving the department's service and strengthening the community through informed civilian engagement.

1. The Multi-Million Dollar Tax Collection Mandate

One of the most significant, yet often least understood, responsibilities of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is its role as the county's primary property tax collector. This function is a massive undertaking that is vital to funding local services and governmental operations.

Annual Financial Impact: Each year, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for collecting over 110,000 property tax bills. This collection effort accounts for nearly $260 million on behalf of the county's eight taxing districts, including the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the Fayette County Public Schools.

Tax Collection Entities:

  • Current Year Taxes: Collected by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
  • Delinquent Taxes: Taxes for any prior year(s) are collected by the Fayette County Clerk, underscoring the distinction between the two offices.
  • Assessment/Exemptions: Questions regarding property assessment are directed to the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA).

2. Protecting the Judiciary: Court Services Division

The safety and security of the Fayette County court system fall directly under the Sheriff’s jurisdiction through the specialized Court Services Division. This is a critical law enforcement function that ensures the integrity of the judicial process.

The division’s deputies are tasked with providing protective services to all judges and court personnel within the county. This includes security for:

  • Five Circuit Court judges.
  • Four Family Court judges.
  • Five District Court judges.

Their presence is essential for maintaining order and security within the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, where many judicial functions take place in Lexington, KY. [cite: 7, 14 (from previous step)]

3. Serving Justice: The Process Division

Beyond high-profile law enforcement, the Sheriff’s Office operates the Process Division, a fundamental component of the civil and criminal justice system. This division is responsible for the timely and efficient service of court documents, a function that directly impacts the rights of every citizen in Fayette County. [cite: 5, 13 (from previous step)]

Deputies and staff in this division serve a wide range of legal papers, including:

  • Criminal and Civil Summonses.
  • Subpoenas.
  • Eviction Notices and Orders of Possession.
  • Garnishments and Writs of Execution.
  • Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs) and Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs).

The coordination between highly-trained deputies and the Process Division staff is a point of pride for the office, ensuring that due process is upheld throughout the county. [cite: 13 (from previous step)]

4. Community Engagement and 2025 Initiatives

The Fayette County Sheriff's Department actively engages with the community through several programs and support services, with recent updates highlighting their commitment to public welfare, especially during challenging times. [cite: 4, 7 (from previous step), 9 (from previous step), 10 (from previous step)]

Recruitment Drive 2025: The department has launched its 2025 Recruitment Drive, actively seeking new deputy sheriff positions starting in May 2025. This effort is focused on bolstering the ranks with professionals dedicated to serving the Lexington community.

Winter Care Program: The Sheriff's Office activates its Winter Care Program during severe weather. This program is designed to enhance safety for healthcare workers and first responders by providing transportation when road conditions become hazardous. [cite: 4, 7 (from previous step)]

Domestic Violence Support: The department is a key supporter of community efforts to combat domestic violence, including the GreenHouse17 Rise Up event, which was scheduled for October 2025 in the Courthouse Plaza. [cite: 14 (from previous step)]

5. Warrants and Public Safety Resources

As a full-service law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office plays a direct role in public safety by managing warrants and providing access to inmate information. [cite: 5, 15 (from previous step), 16 (from previous step), 17 (from previous step)]

Active Warrants: The department maintains a public list of persons with possibly active warrants held by law enforcement agencies in Fayette County, encouraging citizens to provide tips while advising against taking direct action. [cite: 15 (from previous step)]

Inmate Information: The Sheriff’s Office also provides a list of inmates currently in custody at the Fayette County Jail, with clear disclaimers that an arrest record is not proof of guilt. [cite: 16 (from previous step)] This service ensures transparency in the detention process. [cite: 17 (from previous step)]

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department continues to evolve its service model, utilizing its Support Services Division to oversee critical functions like community engagement, Human Resources, agency records management, and open records requests. [cite: 10 (from previous step)] This comprehensive approach ensures that they remain a pivotal and responsive public safety and governmental entity for the citizens of Lexington and the wider Fayette County area. [cite: 5, 9 (from previous step)]

fayette county kentucky sheriff's department
fayette county kentucky sheriff's department

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