Colonel Les Hill Named Boone County Sheriff in 2025

Boone County Judge/Executive Gary W. Moore appointed Colonel Les Hill as Boone County Sheriff, effective April 16, 2025. Hill replaces Sheriff Mike Helmig, who retired after 28 years in the role.

Hill has served at the Sheriff's Office since 1989, working his way from patrol deputy to Chief Deputy in 1997. He served as interim sheriff from December 2014 to January 2015.

"Les is a well-known and well-respected leader who will uphold that promise to our residents," Moore said of the appointment.

Hill will serve until the next county-wide election in 2026. Kentucky law authorizes the Judge/Executive to fill vacancies of county elected officials.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office, established in 1798, employs nearly 190 sworn deputies. Under Helmig's leadership, the department merged the Boone County Police and Sheriff's Office, created a drug strike force, hired police social workers, and placed School Resource Officers in high schools.