32 Years of Service. Proven Leadership. Clark County Ready.
From street cop to SWAT commander to undercover narcotics detective to Police Chief — Kenny Kavanaugh has done the job at every level. Now he's ready to lead Clark County's Sheriff's Office with the same integrity, accountability, and professionalism he brought to Jeffersonville for over three decades.
Kenny Kavanaugh is the real deal — a career law enforcement professional who started on the streets and earned every step up through hard work, not politics. Over 32 years with the Jeffersonville Police Department, he served as patrol officer, SWAT commander, undercover narcotics detective with federal task forces (FBI Safe Streets and DEA), and ultimately Chief of Police for over a decade.
As Chief, he transformed JPD into one of the most respected departments in Indiana. He implemented the 21st Century Policing model, brought body cameras to every officer, installed 30+ surveillance cameras across the city to fight crime, improved critical incident response, and built a culture focused on developing the whole officer — not just enforcement, but training, wellness, and community trust.
When he stepped down as Chief in August 2025, a city council member called it "a huge loss for the city." The Fraternal Order of Police said he "brought our agency leaps and bounds ahead in capability, and solidified our position as a leader in professional policing in our state and region." Even the mayor praised his "unwavering dedication to the community."
Now he's bringing that same leadership to the Clark County Sheriff's Office — a department that needs it more than ever after years of corruption and scandal under the previous sheriff.
Actions speak louder than campaign promises. Here's what Kenny Kavanaugh actually accomplished.
Kenny didn't get handed his badge — he earned it. Patrol officer, SWAT commander, undercover narcotics detective embedded with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and DEA Louisville. He's done every job in the department and understands policing from the ground up.
In 2015 — years before most Indiana departments — Kavanaugh piloted body cameras at JPD. By 2020, every officer was equipped. He led the implementation personally, running a 10-camera pilot program and making camera activation part of department policy. Transparency and accountability, not just talk.
Under Kavanaugh's leadership, Jeffersonville installed over 30 surveillance cameras at key locations across the city to deter and solve crimes — from carjackings to property crimes. Modern policing requires modern tools, and he invested in them.
Kavanaugh advanced the Obama-era 21st Century Policing framework at JPD — emphasizing community trust, procedural justice, officer training, and technology. He reshaped the department's vision for a new policing environment focused on building sustainable relationships.
He built a culture focused on the "whole officer" — not just enforcement skills, but training, mental health, career development, and preparation for the challenges of modern policing. His recruitment and retention strategies kept JPD staffed while departments nationwide struggled.
The Fraternal Order of Police praised him for bringing the agency "leaps and bounds ahead." The mayor called his dedication "unwavering." A city council member called his departure "a huge loss." When both the union and the administration agree you were great — that says something.
Clark County needs a sheriff who leads from the front — not from the headlines.
The previous Clark County Sheriff, Jamey Noel, stole $3.1 million from taxpayers and pled guilty to 27 felonies. The office needs a leader with an unimpeachable record of integrity. Kenny Kavanaugh has 32 years of clean, scandal-free service. He's the reset Clark County needs.
Kavanaugh has been clear: responsible use of taxpayer dollars is a core commitment. After a sheriff who treated public funds like a personal bank account, Clark County deserves a leader who understands that every dollar is a trust — not an entitlement.
His wife said it best: "He will lead the sheriff's office with community at the center of every decision." Kavanaugh's leadership style emphasizes fairness, compassion, and building trust — not just enforcement. He proved it works at JPD for over a decade.
New leadership doesn't have to mean untested leadership. Kavanaugh brings a fresh perspective to the sheriff's office backed by 32 years of operational experience at every level. He's not learning on the job — he's bringing decades of expertise to a department that needs it.
From the FOP to city leaders, the people who know Kenny best support his candidacy.
"Chief Kavanaugh has brought our agency leaps and bounds ahead in capability, and solidified our position as a leader in professional policing in our state and region."— Jeffersonville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 100
"We had in Kenny Kavanaugh a chief that had clear leadership goals for the police department. We have a well-respected police department in the city of Jeffersonville, and interrupting that is a shame."— Jeffersonville City Council Member Dustin White
"I think highly of Kenny and the Kavanaugh family. His dedication to the community and the department are unwavering."— Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore
"I know he will lead the sheriff's office with community at the center of every decision."— Lenae Guilfoyle Kavanaugh
"Running for sheriff is both an honor and a commitment. It's about leadership, professionalism and integrity that builds and fosters communal trust."— Kenny Kavanaugh
"Chief Kenny Kavanaugh is the epitome of the expression, 'street cop to the top cop!' He worked through the ranks and built an impressive resume."— The Coptimizer Podcast
Media coverage of Kenny Kavanaugh's career and campaign.
Louisville Public Media reported on Kavanaugh's entry into the Republican primary for Clark County Sheriff, highlighting his 32-year career and decade as police chief.
WDRB covered Kavanaugh's announcement, noting his 32-year veteran status and emphasis on "leadership, professionalism and integrity."
WAVE3 covered the campaign launch, noting Kavanaugh's focus on bringing new leadership and a fresh perspective to the sheriff's office.
After 10+ years as chief, Kavanaugh stepped down amid city budget pressures from Indiana's Senate Bill 1 tax overhaul. The FOP praised him for advancing the department "leaps and bounds." A council member called his departure "a huge loss for the city."
Under Kavanaugh's leadership, JPD deployed 30+ surveillance cameras at strategic locations across Jeffersonville to combat carjackings and property crime.
Kavanaugh championed body cameras at JPD, running a pilot program and deploying them department-wide — making JPD one of Indiana's early adopters of the technology.
National policing podcast featured Kavanaugh discussing his career from patrol to chief, his strategies for recruitment and retention, and his philosophy on officer development and organizational culture.
WDRB profiled all candidates in the Clark County sheriff's race, including Kavanaugh as a Republican primary challenger to incumbent Scottie Maples.