The Kenton County Fiscal Court announced Monday that Jude Hehman would be appointed as Kenton County Sheriff in 2026, effective Jan. 1.
The announcement comes on the heels of current Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Korzenborn’s announcement earlier this month that he would retire at the end of the year. Korzenborn openly endorsed Hehman as his successor in his announcement.
“The Sheriff’s Office touches nearly every part of county government, from public safety to collecting the taxes that support our schools and services,” Korzenborn said in the county’s announcement. “[Hehman] is a steady, disciplined leader who can manage the people, processes and public trust across all of those functions.”
Hehman, who currently serves as the mayor of Fort Mitchell, announced in October that he would be running for sheriff next year. Hehman also served on Fort Mitchell’s City Council for 10 years and is the founder of construction company Furlong Building Enterprises.
“As mayor, I know how important a strong law enforcement agency is to a community,” Hehman said in the county’s announcement. “When it comes to the Sheriff’s Office, that responsibility is even broader, demanding consistent leadership to effectively manage its many functions and ensure the office serves our community at the highest level.”
Legally, county judges/executive are responsible for appointing sheriffs in the event of a vacancy. This actually occurred in Boone County in March. Now that he’s been appointed, he will serve as sheriff throughout 2026 while he’s campaigning. The Fort Mitchell City Council, meanwhile, will need to appoint a replacement mayor.
Larry Shelton, an attorney also from Fort Mitchell, is the only other person to file a candidacy for the Kenton County Sheriff’s race, as of Dec. 22. Both Hehman and Shelton are running as Republicans.
The county’s prosecutors, County Attorney Stacy Tapke and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders, also endorsed Hehman in the announcement.
“Jude brings strong management skills and a clear understanding of how inter-agency collaboration strengthens public safety,” said County Attorney Stacy Tapke. “I’m confident his leadership as Sheriff will support effective partnerships and responsible public safety operations across Kenton County.”
“Jude built one of Kenton County’s best police departments in Fort Mitchell, and his experience will continue the tradition of executive leadership in the Sheriff’s Office,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders.
Sheriffs are primarily responsible for tax collection, court and jail security, jail transport and serving civil processes. The sheriff, or his proxy, also serves as a member of the county board of elections. Although they do have some law enforcement duties, if you live in a city in Kenton County, you’re more likely to find municipal police forces handling day-to-day law enforcement activities. Kenton County’s Sheriff’s department currently has 72 members.
Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said that Korzenborn’s “recommendation of Jude Hehman to complete the remainder of his term, which was quickly supported by prosecutors Stacy Tapke and Rob Sanders, made this a straightforward decision.”
Hehman’s appointment will last only through 2026, at which point whoever wins the election will take office. Kentucky sheriffs serve four-year terms.