By Abigail Roberts
Lincoln County law enforcement had the opportunity to meet the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as well as the U.S. Representative of Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District last week during a luncheon event in Manchester.
Hal Rogers (KY-05) invited FBI Director Kash Patel to Manchester, Kentucky for an appreciation luncheon and panel discussion on Feb. 27, with 150 law enforcement officers and prosecutors from Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District.
That group included Lincoln County Sheriff Shawn Hines, Chief Deputy Michael Mullins and Crab Orchard Police Chief Jimmy Gipson. Stanford Police Department officers were also invited but were unable to attend.
“I’m thrilled to have the nation’s top law enforcement chief here to meet with Kentucky’s finest police officers and prosecutors. Collaboration is key across the local, state and federal levels, as we work to make our region and our nation safer,” said Congressman Rogers during the event. “Police work is often a thankless job, but not today. Director Patel and I are here to praise the brave men and women who serve and protect Kentucky’s Appalachian region.”
According to a press release from Rogers’ office, the event also featured a panel discussion between the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshal Collier Phillips, Kentucky State Police Commissioner P.J. Burnett, Clay County Sheriff Patrick Robinson and Somerset Police Chief Josh Wesley.
“In addition to discussing collaboration between agencies, panelists focused on the impact of border security in rural America, changes in drug trafficking trends and online safety for Kentucky youth,” the release states.
Lincoln County Sheriff Shawn Hines said it was an honor to attend the event.
“FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the importance that each level of law enforcement (local, state and federal) needed to work together in order to make a safe America,” Hines said. “Director Patel said he loved Kentucky so much he didn’t want to travel back to D.C.”
Hines said everyone in attendance was treated to Rogers’ favorite meal of soup beans.
Congressman Rogers also announced $20 million in Community Project Funding that he secured for police departments in southern and eastern Kentucky to upgrade their communications equipment. The funding was signed into law by President Trump in January.
