Local Sheriff Larry Bennett was featured recently in Kentucky Law Enforcement Magazine.

After over 19 years as sheriff here and 4 years as a Trooper with the Kentucky State Police Bennett opened up about his service, "I always wanted to be in law enforcement."

He told the magazine that some of his major accomplishments in office are the overall improvement to the capabilities and professionalism of the department.

"When I first was elected sheriff, I had two deputies, three cars purchased for $2,600 each; with a very minimum of emergency equipment."

He said that now the fleet is modern and fully equipped and the deputies manning them are all trained, certified and professional.

In an interview about being featured in the magazine Bennett said he appreciated the honor, but that it was those who work for him that have made the improvements possible.

From the office staff who take care of paperwork demands of the law enforcement side of the office and the heavy demands from serving as the county's tax collectors, to the deputies who lay their lives on the line for their fellow Russell Countians, Bennett said they all are dedicated.

"They all work hard to protect the citizens, but they also have to go home at the end of their shift," Bennett said.

He was keen to recognize the community involvement, from the neighborhood watch programs to the participants in the Citizens on Patrol Academies they have had in the past.

"We always are looking for new and better ideas on how to serve and protect our community," Bennett said.

Bennett's department will be more focused on law enforcement in the future.

He said that changes from the legislature had moved the responsibility for tax collections from the commonwealth's sheriff offices to the County Clerk offices across Kentucky,

"You're seeing history," Bennett said after he began working on the tax sale last week. "This is the last year for the Sheriff's Tax Sale."