GLASGOW, Ky. — Barren County Sheriff Kent Keen will resign effective Oct. 31, stepping down two months before the end of his term, according to the Barren County Sheriff’s Office.

Keen, who has served as sheriff since 2013, was elected to his current term in 2022, which was set to expire at the end of December.

Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd said Keen informed her of his plans earlier this week and submitted a written resignation Tuesday following a fiscal court meeting.

Adam Bow, a sheriff’s office spokesperson and the incoming sheriff, deferred questions about Keen’s decision to leave early to the sheriff.

Bow said he believed Keen wanted to avoid “the whole show,” including news coverage, surrounding his departure at the end of December.

Bow was selected as the Republican nominee for sheriff in May, defeating two other candidates. He is unopposed in the November general election and is expected to succeed Keen.

The Barren County Fiscal Court is expected to meet Oct. 30 at 3:30 p.m. to address the transition, Byrd said.

“We’ve, at least, acknowledged all that internally,” Byrd said, adding that she did not want to notify the public before Keen had a chance to share the news himself.

Under Kentucky law, the county judge/executive must appoint someone to fill a vacancy in the office of sheriff, along with certain other county offices.

Under state law, the coroner assumes the duties of sheriff until the vacancy is filled. Because Bow is expected to take office as Keen’s resignation takes effect, an interim appointment should not be necessary.

Byrd said the timing could benefit Bow because tax collection season begins Nov. 2 for the sheriff’s office. Kentucky sheriffs are responsible for collecting property taxes.

The Oct. 30 meeting is expected to include Bow’s swearing-in and formal action related to Keen’s resignation, Byrd said. An official meeting notice had not been published as of Friday.

Keen did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.