A Union County Sheriff’s deputy has been appointed as the Union County Jailer to replace Cathy Smith who is retiring after a 30 year career at the jail.
Union County Judge-Executive Jody Jenkins today issued an Executive Order appointing Deputy Shawn Elder as the Union County Jailer.
Prior to joining the Union County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Elder tells WMSK News he graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor in Science and he has about eight years of management experience after serving in management at two different companies. Afterwards, Elder says he had always been interested in law enforcement and joined the local sheriff’s department as a deputy. He has served as a Union County Sheriff’s deputy for five years.
Deputy Elder tells WMSK News he is very appreciative for the opportunity to serve as the Union County Jailer.
Meanwhile, Jailer Cathy Smith stopped by the station this morning and gave me her statement regarding her resignation and thanked each and every person that believed in her and who supported her campaign for county jailer. Smith says she deeply appreciates every contribution of prayers, time and money that definitely led to her election by the voters of Union County. She adds it is with great regret and personal distress that she can no longer fulfill her duties at the office of jailer after serving the people of Union County for thirty years in different capacities at the jail. In her fifth term as jailer, Smith indicates she honestly loves her job.
Jailer Smith goes on to say after having her stroke in April, she was faced with making the heart wrenching decision of whether to retire or keep working against her doctors’ recommendation and her better judgment, but even though it was a hard decision she now feels it is time to follow her doctors’ orders and honor her family’s wishes to take measures to focus on her rehabilitating her health and getting back to a descent quality of life. Therefore, she will begin the retirement process effective immediately.
The appointment of Deputy Elder, a native of Union County who lives in Morganfield with his wife and two children, is effective November 1st.
Please continue to keep Cathy Smith in your prayers as she continues to recover.