Josh Vandgrift is seeking election as Hancock County Sheriff, citing a desire to serve the community, improve transparency, and take a long-term approach to leadership within the sheriff’s office.
Vandgrift, 45, said he was born and raised in Hancock County and, despite living for periods in Owensboro, Louisville, Nashville, and along the Gulf Coast, has repeatedly returned home.
“This county has loved me well, and I want to love it well in return,” Vandgrift said. “Serving people has always been part of my background, and this felt like the right time to step forward.”
Vandgrift, a Republican, said he had long considered public service but did not expect an opportunity to run for sheriff to align with his timeline. With the current opening, he said he believes he could commit to the role for two decades or more and provide consistent leadership.
“I feel like I could put 20 to 24 years into this and really serve people over the long term,” he said.
Vandgrift also said his decision to run is shaped by his Christian faith and belief that people who hold a Christian worldview should be willing to serve in public and governmental roles. He said those values influence how he approaches leadership, accountability, and service to the community.
While Vandgrift does not have direct law enforcement experience, he said his background in emergency services and organizational work would translate well to the position. He previously served as a firefighter with the Hawesville Fire Department, worked at the Hancock County Jail while in college, and was an EMT with Hancock County’s ambulance service.
Vandgrift acknowledged questions about his law enforcement experience but emphasized that much of the sheriff’s role is administrative and civil in nature.
“The sheriff is the highest-ranking law enforcement official in the county, but the majority of the job is organizational and civil service work,” he said. “That’s where I believe my experience is a strong fit.”
If elected, Vandgrift said one of his first priorities would be a comprehensive review of the sheriff’s office, including policies, operations, and budgeting. He said he would like to form an advisory board to assist with evaluating department policies and identifying areas for improvement.
“We need a clear picture of what’s working, what’s not, and what the real state of crime looks like in Hancock County,” Vandgrift said.
Vandgrift said transparency would be a central focus of his administration. He noted that public information about the sheriff’s office is currently limited and said he would prioritize improving communication with residents.
“One of the first things I want to do is redevelop the sheriff’s department website,” he said. “I’d like to get to daily or at least weekly statistics on calls for service and responses, along with regular press releases so people know what’s going on.”
He also said he would work to make departmental finances more accessible to the public by regularly posting budget information and updates.
In addition, Vandgrift said he would like to explore adding deputies, if feasible, without overworking existing staff or compromising training. That could include hiring additional full-time deputies or reserve deputies to increase patrol coverage across the county.
“There has to be a balance,” he said. “I don’t want to add positions if it takes away from training or resources for the deputies we already have.”
Vandgrift also said he would like to prioritize developing deputies from within Hancock County, noting that the department has primarily hired laterally from other agencies in recent decades.
“I think it’s important to raise people up from the county to serve the county,” he said. “If that means investing in their training, that’s something I’d like to pursue if the budget allows.”
Vandgrift and his wife are members of Union Baptist Church, where they help lead a community group. They previously served as foster parents for several years. His wife works as a foster care specialist with Sunrise Children’s Services. The couple has three children.
