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The Kentucky Sheriff’s Association (KSA) named Jessamine County Chief Deputy Anthony Purcell the 2023 Sheriffs Deputy of The Year at its annual conference in Owensboro last month.

Purcell was presented this award for his years of service with the department but specifically for stepping up as sheriff in 2022, according to the KSA. Purcell is the first Jessamine County Chief Deputy to ever receive Deputy of the Year.

In May of 2022, Jessamine County Judge-Executive David West appointed Purcell as interim sheriff  after the death of Sheriff Kevin Corman.

Purcell served in the role until current Sheriff Kevin Grimes started his term in January 2023.

“Chief Deputy Purcell is most deserving and represents Jessamine County and the commonwealth in a positive manner,” said Jerry Wagner KSA executive director Jerry Wagner.” I am sure he will continue to stand for Kentucky Sheriffs and the citizens of Jessamine County. The KSA strives to better the office of Sheriff by keeping Sheriffs abreast of what is going on in the law enforcement community with ongoing training and legislation, which helps in serving Kentucky’s citizens.”

Purcell started working for law enforcement in 1996 at the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee. In 2006, he began working at the sheriff’s office in Jessamine County.

This was his first time receiving the honor and came as a shock.

“It’s a real honor, it is. I was kind of surprised. I did not expect it,” Purcell said. “I got nominated by Sheriff Grimes, and it was voted on by the sheriffs of the state, so it was nice to be recognized for some of the stuff I’ve done for the sheriff’s offices here in the state. I teach a class called duties of the sheriff’s office for the Department of Criminal Justice Training, so five times a year, I travel around the state teaching that to sheriff’s offices in different areas. It was nice to be recognized for my efforts there as well.”