The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled today that a deputy sheriff is not covered by KRS 15.520, commonly referred to as the Police Officers' Bill of Rights. The case is Elliott v. Lanham.
The case arose in the Boyle County Sheriff's office when Sheriff Marty Elliott first demoted and then fired a long-time deputy, Warren Lanham, following complaints by grand jury members about Lanham's case work to Boyle Circuit Judge Hon. Darren Peckler. Lanham claimed that his rights were violated, because he was not allowed the due process steps provided for in the Police Officers' Bill of Rights. The circuit court ruled for the sheriff, but the Court of Appeals ruled for Lanham, thus bringing the case to the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice John Minton wrote the Court's opinion, which was joined by all his colleagues, except Justice Sam Wright, who concurred in the result.
