Gibbs for Meade County Jailer

A Voter Asked Me: “Why Should We Choose You?”

“I’m running for the office, not against any person. Ultimately, the voters of Meade County will decide who is best prepared to run the Meade County Jail. People should vote for the candidate who can professionally run a modern detention center. As a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and retired Columbus police officer, I bring real experience in street-level criminal-justice work, command responsibility, budgeting, personnel management, and standards-based operations. My focus is on professionalism, accountability, and raising the standard of safety and care at the jail — not politics or popularity.”

— Voter response:
“Sir the last sentence was the answer I wanted thank you, you got my vote sir.”

Watch Our New Ad: Setting the Standard for Meade County
Our plan to raise expectations and bring real accountability to county corrections.

Meade County deserves a modern, professional jail that protects our deputies, our inmates, and our taxpayers. I’m not running for a job — I’m running because it’s time to do the job right.
Experience. Ethics. Executive Leadership.

Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment & The Value of a Primary

“Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.”
— President Ronald Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment

Reagan paired civility with conviction. In 1976, he challenged a sitting Republican president — not out of disloyalty, but because he believed open, idea-driven primaries make the party stronger. That’s the model I’m following: respectful debate, conservative solutions, and accountability to voters.

Why Primaries Reflect Conservative Values

Competition sharpens ideas and improves stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Local control ensures voters — not insiders — choose the best leader.
Transparency and accountability strengthen the party and the office.

Contested elections make our party stronger. They bring fresh ideas, sharpen priorities, and remind every elected official that public service is a trust that must be earned. Open, respectful primaries reflect the best of our Republican principles — transparency, accountability, and healthy competition that strengthens both the office and the people we serve.

Why I’m Entering This Primary

Meade County is a community built on service, faith, and responsibility — values that have shaped my own life, both in uniform and in law enforcement. After more than 26 years in the U.S. Army and over 15 years with the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police, I’ve learned that leadership means accountability, teamwork, and setting the standard for others to follow.

I’m running for Meade County Jailer because I believe this office should represent the very best in public service — professionalism, fiscal discipline, and respect for both staff and those in our custody.

My goal is to bring proven executive-level leadership to the Jailer’s Office — leadership focused on safety, compliance, and responsible management of taxpayer funds. By modernizing policies, strengthening training, and building a culture of integrity and respect, we can ensure the Meade County Jailer’s Office reflects the high standards our citizens expect and deserve.

This campaign isn’t about criticism — it’s about commitment. Commitment to serve, to improve, and to make sure every aspect of this office earns and keeps the public’s trust.

I’m entering this Republican primary to offer voters a choice — a choice grounded in service, accountability, and conservative leadership that puts Meade County first.

I’m running to set the standard — not settle for it.

ABOUT STEPHEN R. GIBBS

Stephen R. Gibbs
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army
Police Officer (Ret.), Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police
Senior Army JROTC Instructor
Certified Kentucky Teacher
Educated at the Naval Postgraduate School and Liberty University

Stephen R. Gibbs is married to his lovely wife, Lisa, and served over 26 years in the U.S. Army, culminating in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. An Airborne-qualified officer, his career included command and staff assignments in operations, logistics, and psychological operations — including service as Battalion Commander of the 1st Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne) — with duty both stateside and overseas, including combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition to his military career, he served more than 15 years with the Columbus Division of Police, where he gained extensive experience in prisoner handling, transportation, booking, and court security — performing many of the same custody and supervision duties carried out within a correctional facility. This firsthand operational experience shaped his understanding of professionalism, accountability, and risk management in public safety.

He has a record of sound judgment and steady leadership in both daily operations and high-stress environments. Those same qualities define his approach to teaching, mentoring, and public service today.

He currently serves as a Senior Army JROTC Instructor, where he mentors young leaders and teaches citizenship, discipline, and service. As a state-certified educator, he brings the same structure, accountability, and professionalism to the classroom that he practiced throughout his military career.

Stephen holds two master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and is pursuing graduate studies at Liberty University, with a focus on leadership and pastoral counseling. His academic and professional training reflect a lifelong commitment to disciplined service, ethical leadership, and community development.

He and his wife, Lisa, attend their local church, where faith and service remain central to their lives. His values — integrity, duty, and selfless service — are shaped by that faith and guide every aspect of his leadership and public service.

His service has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police Silver Cross Medal for courageous action under dangerous conditions.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gibbs is also a life member of the Brandenburg VFW Post 11404 and the American Legion, continuing his lifelong commitment to serving veterans and the Meade County community.

“Leadership begins with character and ends in selfless service.”
— Stephen R. Gibbs

Professional Leadership in Modern Corrections

Running a modern correctional facility today requires more than daily oversight — it demands executive-level leadership that understands law, finance, personnel, and risk management. My experience leading complex organizations in the U.S. Army and in law enforcement has taught me that safety, accountability, and professionalism all begin with strong systems and clear expectations.

My vision for the Meade County Jailer’s Office is simple: a safe, lawful, and fiscally responsible correctional system that protects our deputies, serves our citizens, and meets the highest professional standards set by Kentucky regulations and national best practices.

The job of Jailer is not simply to oversee daily operations — it’s to lead an organization that continually updates its policies, training, and management systems in step with today’s legal requirements and professional correctional standards.

That means well-trained personnel, transparent financial management, and policies that uphold both public safety and constitutional responsibility. It means leading by example — fostering a team culture where professionalism and integrity are expected, supported, and recognized.

The job of Jailer is about leadership — building a team, setting expectations, and maintaining public trust through consistent, accountable management. That is the standard I intend to set.

First 100 Days Plan: Raising Standards, Increasing Safety

1. Modernize Every Policy and SOP

Within the first 100 days, I will rewrite and reissue all policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure:

Ethical conduct and professional accountability across all operations
Fiscal responsibility and transparency in every financial practice
Correction of all major financial deficiencies identified in state audits
Full compliance with current state and federal corrections laws
Alignment with best practices in safety, custody, and inmate care — guided by American Correctional Association (ACA) model policies and standards
A clear and enforceable social media policy that protects employee professionalism, maintains public trust, and prohibits any online activity that discredits the department or compromises safety

Clear policies mean clear expectations — and that's where accountability begins.

2. Elevate Training and Professional Standards

I will launch an updated training and certification program for all deputies and employees. This program will emphasize:

Officer safety and effective inmate management
Crisis response, documentation, and professional communication
Legal and civil-rights compliance

Because raising standards increases safety — and safety reduces liability.

3. Build a Learning Organization

We will operate as a learning organization, continually improving through audits, feedback, and professional development.

Regular reviews will keep the jail aligned with modern law and regulation.
Staff input will drive improvement, not punishment.
Transparency will build public trust and reduce federal risk exposure.

Bottom Line:

My goal is simple — to lead a safe, lawful, and fiscally responsible correctional system that protects our deputies, our inmates, and our taxpayers. The same standards that guided me in uniform continue to guide me today. These values define how I lead and how I’ll serve as your next Jailer.

Integrity, Duty, and Selfless Service

These aren’t slogans — they’re standards. They’ve guided my career in uniform, in the classroom, and now in my decision to seek public office. The Office of Jailer deserves the same professionalism, accountability, and ethical leadership expected of any well-run organization entrusted with people’s lives and taxpayer dollars.

Integrity

Integrity means doing what’s right when no one is watching — following policy, respecting the law, and telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. The people of Meade County deserve leadership that makes decisions based on facts, fairness, and fiscal responsibility, not politics or favoritism.

Duty

Duty is the daily commitment to excellence and accountability. In corrections, that means protecting the public, our deputies, and those in our custody through sound policies, discipline, and compliance with state and federal standards. Meeting the expectations of today’s professional correctional environment requires diligence, not complacency.

Selfless Service

Selfless service is putting the mission and the community above personal interest. It means treating every employee and inmate with fairness, maintaining order without arrogance, and managing taxpayer resources with the same care as your own. True service leads by example — it sets the standard, not settles for it.

A Note to Voters

Public service is a privilege and a responsibility. I’ve spent my life serving others — in uniform, in law enforcement, and in the classroom — and I believe leadership is about earning trust every day.

This campaign isn’t about titles or politics. It’s about professionalism, accountability, and pride in how our county’s correctional system represents Meade County. Together, we can set the standard — and not settle for it.

Thank you for your trust, your time, and your commitment to our community.

— Stephen R. Gibbs

Contact

FOOTER / LEGAL

Paid for by the Campaign to Elect Stephen Gibbs, P.O. Box 561, Brandenburg, KY 40108

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