About Kyle Tipton, Candidate for Shelby County Sheriff 2026
I, Kyle Tipton, am a lifelong resident of Shelby County, Kentucky. I am proud to be the son of Greg Tipton, Melinda Cowherd and Bobby Cowherd. I am fortunate to have had loving grandparents: Pete and Betty Baker, Mary Tipton, Tommy and Darlene Tipton, and Susan Cowherd. I also have supportive and encouraging uncles and aunts, Les and Belinda Nichols, Rick and Jeanie Wade, and Steve and Katie Cowherd.Having a strong support system of family, friends and community during my upbringing has prepared me to be the husband, father and community servant I am today. I grew to know Jesus Christ while attending Bagdad Baptist Church as a young boy. I also cleaned and swept the floors of Tipton’s Barbershop (a supporting business to Shelbyville for over fifty years), volunteered at the firehouse during fundraising efforts for the WHAS Crusade for Children, and enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors with my Papaw Pete and Uncle Les. These are among the experiences that formed the foundation of my faith, family, community and work ethic. From a young age, I aspired to serve my community as a Deputy Sheriff, a role that has given me so much, and one that I am proud to represent.
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More About Kyle Tipton's Personal, Community and Professional Life, and Commitment to Be Shelby County Sheriff
I graduated from Shelby County High School in 2005. During my time there, I represented the school in weightlifting, track and field, and football. I received KHSAA First Team All-District honors for representing Shelby County High School in football during the 2004 season.
After high school, I attended Jefferson Community College in Shelbyville, earning a degree in Criminal Justice. I also worked at an industrial maintenance supply store in Shelbyville, KY during college. In this role, I supplied parts, fasteners and safety equipment to various local businesses in Shelby County. This allowed me to meet many wonderful people, and to actively engage with the hard-working individuals of the Shelby County community. In January 2009, Sheriff Mike Armstrong hired me as a deputy sheriff to serve the Shelby County community. In September 2015, I was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to patrol supervisory needs for the Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Armstrong.
Aside from my faith, the greatest blessing I have received is marrying my wife, Carolyn Medley Tipton, on June 26, 2010. Carolyn has been the leading support of our family and my career. Together, we are proud parents of two active and outgoing children.
My experience with active and outgoing children inspired me to coach, manage and mentor the youth of the Shelby County community. Since 2019, I have been fortunate to participate in the Shelbyville-Shelby County Park System and the Bagdad Ruritan Club's recreational baseball and softball leagues. This involvement has provided youth and families with positive interaction through a local law enforcement officer beyond my official duties, all while helping to build and maintain strong relationships within the Shelby County community. During this period, I collaborated with several community partners to establish local travel baseball and softball programs, specifically the Shelby Stix Baseball Club and the Bagdad Softball Club. These clubs offer young athletes more opportunities to play and help them build lasting relationships within their community.
In the past, I have participated in various local outdoor committees, including the Shelby County NWTF Dogwood Drummers, Shelby County Delta Waterfowl, and Shelby County Ducks Unlimited. I even had the honor of serving as president for the Shelby County Delta Waterfowl Committee, and for Shelby County Ducks Unlimited. My involvement in these committees has allowed me to collaborate with local Boy Scout troops on habitat projects, and to coordinate scholarship opportunities for high school students in Shelby County.
My family and I are members of Shelby Christian Church. I am also a member of the Bagdad Ruritan Club and the Shelby County FOP Lodge 51. Additionally, I serve on the Heroes at Bat committee, a local charity connecting first responders with recovery individuals. This organization funds community outreach programs, including the WHAS Crusade for Children and the Shelby County FOP Lodge 51 "Shop with a Cop" program. I am also a member of the Leadership Shelby Class of 2025, for which I was elected Vice President.
Sheriff Mark Moore appointed me to the rank of Captain in September 2020, and I oversee the operations of the Sheriff’s office. In 2022, Sheriff Moore appointed me to the Shelby County Board of Elections. Throughout my career at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, I have experienced various roles, including Deputy Sheriff, Police Training Officer, Narcotics Investigations, Patrol Sergeant and membership in the Fugitive Task Force with the Marshals Service. I have also been responsible for assisting in building and maintaining a balanced budget, as well as managing operational procedures. Additionally, I am managing the KACP Accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office. I am your Operations Captain for the Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Mark Moore.
As your Sheriff, I will be committed to protecting and serving the residents of Shelby County with continued transparency, financial accountability and respect. My top priority will be the safety of all Shelby County residents. I will also continue to build and maintain strong relationships within the Sheriff’s Office and our Shelby County community.
My family and I humbly ask for your support and vote for Sheriff of Shelby County in the May 19th, 2026 primary election.
Kyle Tipton
Candidate for Sheriff of Shelby County
May 19th, 2026 Primary.