Daviess County Public Schools announced Monday who will be taking over Sheriff-Elect Brad Youngman’s position as DCPS Police Lead Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) and additional new hires to replace officers Jared Ramsey and Jeff Payne, who will be leaving for the Sheriff’s office. These command changes will go into effect on January 1. Gary Mattingly, a current DCPS SLEO has been named the new Lead Officer, following Youngman’s leave. Mattingly is currently stationed at Daviess County Middle School and will continue to serve DCMS and surrounding Elementary Schools in his new role. Mattingly has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement working for Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Owensboro Police Department, and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. He also was a member of the Kentucky National Guard for eight years and has been a member of the United States Army Reserve since 2018.
New additions to the DCPS Police Force are: Officer Katie Hunter, Officer Clint Earnest, and Officer Craig Sutter. Officer Hunter will be stationed at Apollo High School and has previously served as a former detective, Ohio County Sheriff Sergeant, and Ohio County High School SRO. Officer Earnest comes to DCPS with 33 years of service in the US Army Reserves and time as a retired OPD Sergeant and SWAT Team member. Officer Earnest will serve as part of the East County Elementary Patrol Team. Finally, Officer Suttter will serve as part of the West County Elementary Patrol Team. Sutter has served as a former Nicholasville and WKU Police Officer. He ended his career retiring from Owensboro Police Department.
