Wallace Whittaker is running for a fifth consecutive term as Logan County sheriff, subject to the May 23 Democratic primary. Whittaker feels he has the experience, the credentials and the public support to continue as sheriff. He is asking voters to “Keep a Working Sheriff.”
His first job in law enforcement began in 1985 as a deputy sheriff in his native Warren County. After three years there, he came to the Land of Logan as a Russellville city policeman. In 1989, he began working under Sheriff Dannie Blick and has been with the sheriff’s department ever since. He won contested races in both the Democratic primary and the general election in 2002, ran unopposed the next two terms and now faces multiple candidates for the second straight primary election.
He has served on the Kentucky Sheriffs Association Board of Directors for approximately six years, which is an elected office. He has received the Medal of Honor and the Medal of Valor.
The list of areas of training he has accumulated is long and deep. He has taken some 1,500 hours of training, about a thousand of them from the Department of Criminal Justice. He also has advanced training through some specialized agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board.
Soon after he became sheriff, the Southcentral Kentucky Drug Task Force was created and he has been involved with its advisory board throughout 14 successful years. The sheriff’s department also has increased drug programs in the schools and has led efforts to reduce teen fatalities. The School Resource Officer program has also increased its role through his leadership.
Also involving the schools, the department has worked on computer technology to reduce bullying and has been teaching classes on internet fraud.
The Logan County Sheriff’s Department works closely with other agencies, including Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshal’s office. Whittaker has been the spokesman for improving the county’s communication system in trying to facilitate all law enforcement officials to work together.
Whittaker has worked with expanding Neighborhood Watch programs and in expanding attempts to reduce elderly abuse.
He says his goal for a fifth term is to “continue working for the people who put us in office.” He is grateful that Logan County has received him with open arms ever since his arrival from Warren County. “We have had a tremendous outpouring of thanks and expressions of trust from the public,” he says.
“This is not an easy job, and often we have to deal with tragedy. We’ve laughed, cried and prayed with many people over the years,” he says..
Wallace and Brenda Davenport Whittaker have been married 29 years. They have two sons: Seth works for the Russellville Police Department on the Logan County Drug Task force, and Luke works for the Warren County Sheriff Office.
Seth is married to the former Kelly Hargis of Bowling Green, who holds doctorate in Physical Therapy. She is currently a physician at Bradford Heights in Hopkinsville. Seth and Kelly have two children, Emilee, age 1, and Easton 3.
Luke’s fiancé is Madison Anderson of Russellville. She graduated this spring from WKU where she studied pre-law. She is currently employed by English Lucas Priest Owsley law firm in Bowling Green. Luke and Madison are to be married in December..
They are members of Second Baptist Church in Russellville where Wallace is a deacon and assistant Sunday School director.
Wallace Whittaker is opposed by Steven Stratton, Charles Dauley and Morris Lynn Kisselbaugh in the Democratic Primary. The winner will face Republican Robbie Matthews in November.
Political advertising paid for by Shirley Davenport, Treasurer