For Daviess County Attorney John Burlew and Sheriff Brad Youngman, public service isn’t just a calling — it’s a shared journey that began as youngsters, grew through military service, and continues today in the halls of the Daviess County courthouse.
The two men grew up in Owensboro and graduated from Owensboro High School, where they were members of Junior ROTC. Their paths intertwined early, but neither anticipated the winding road that would eventually lead them to Afghanistan — and then back home to serve their community together.
“We were best friends growing up,” Burlew said. “After high school, we took different paths, but we both ended up enlisting in the Army National Guard. We went our own ways for a while, but we’ve crossed paths a few times along the way.”
After graduating high school in 1998, Burlew and Youngman enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), with Burlew in the 3rd Battalion and Youngman in the 1st. Both joined the elite Military Intelligence Detachment, where Burlew trained as an intelligence voice interpreter and Youngman as a counterintelligence agent.
Not long after joining, they found themselves in Afghanistan in the early days of the U.S. military’s post-9/11 operations. Burlew deployed first in March 2002, joining the ranks at the remote and dangerous Shkin Firebase on the Afghan-Pakistan border. Youngman followed in September, and the two reunited briefly at Bagram Air Base.
“I was just driving back to Bagram to head home when I saw Brad,” Burlew recalled. “I was ready to shake his hand, but he just pulled me into a hug and said, ‘Friends don’t shake hands; friends hug.’ We had this bond that went back to our high school days, and seeing him there, in the middle of Afghanistan, brought it all home.”
Their shared assignment at the hostile Shkin Firebase was documented in a November 2002 TIME magazine article titled “al-Qaeda Town.” Shkin was critical to the military’s efforts and located near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where American forces faced ongoing threats from al-Qaeda.
Although they served in different roles, the two shared similar struggles, from grueling terrain to limited food rations. Youngman recalled how “skinny” Burlew appeared when he first saw him.
“John’s unit was part of the first wave,” Youngman said. “When my unit arrived, we were replacing people who’d been there during the early days when support was minimal. They were running on MREs and the occasional meal from local Afghan cooks, and everyone had lost weight. It was tough.”
Despite the intense conditions, the two made the best of their time in Afghanistan. Burlew was on his way home when Youngman arrived. Youngman recalled Burlew handing over his body armor and a satchel of hand grenades, something they both found humor in, looking back.
“When I got there, I didn’t have any body armor, so John gave me his,” Youngman said. “It was a little surreal. He also handed me about 10 hand grenades, which was strange at the time, but that’s just how it was over there.”
Now, more than 20 years later, the two friends continue their partnership back home in Daviess County. Both were elected to office in 2022 — Burlew as County Attorney and Youngman as Sheriff. They said their friendship continues with open communication and seamless cooperation between the county attorney’s office and the sheriff’s department.
“We communicate almost daily,” Burlew said. “Sometimes agencies don’t get along, but Brad and I always keep things professional. He’ll consult with me on investigations, and I’ll provide legal support on contracts and other matters. We trust each other’s judgment.”
Youngman echoed this sentiment, adding that their time in the military taught them valuable lessons about working together and relying on one another. He also offers veteran-preference hiring at the sheriff’s office, where 39% of his team comprises veterans.
“Veterans are uniquely suited for law enforcement,” Youngman said. “When you’re working with other veterans, there’s a built-in understanding. It’s the same kind of mutual trust John and I developed during our service.”
Reflecting on their journey, Burlew and Youngman agree their shared history has made them better leaders and public servants. Burlew, who initially considered a career in foreign policy, returned home after realizing he missed his roots. Youngman, who always wanted to be in law enforcement, credits his military experience with shaping his approach as sheriff.
“It’s rewarding to serve the community that raised us,” Burlew said. “We never could have predicted we’d end up here, but it’s a privilege to be able to give back.”
