Robertson County Judge-Executive Valerie Grigson Miley has chosen a new sheriff for Kentucky's least populous county following the resignation of Terry Gray, who recently resigned after being arrested Oct. 7 for his third drunken driving in less than two years.
According to a message she posted on Facebook the morning of Oct. 13, Grigson Miley is asking Randy Insko, who previously served as county sheriff for 21 years, to replace Gray.
“He has graciously agreed to come out of retirement and complete the remaining year of Gray's term,” Grigson Miley wrote on Facebook. “Both he and his wife Patti have assured me that he has absolutely no plans to run for sheriff in the next election.”
Gray resigned while in prison on Oct. 9, a day after Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear demanded he resign or face removal proceedings for dereliction of duty.
Gray, who was featured in a recent Courier Journal investigation into sheriffs who remained in office despite criminal charges or convictions, was arrested by a neighboring county's sheriff's office on Oct. 7 with a blood-alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.
At the time of his arrest, Gray was dressed in uniform, armed and driving a department vehicle at a high rate of speed, according to the Mason County Sheriff's Office.
On October 10, a Mason County grand jury indicted Gray on charges of third-offense DUI, reckless driving, first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree official misconduct.
According to the charges in the real grand jury bill, Gray drove more than 100 miles per hour on Oct. 7 and created “a substantial danger of death or serious bodily injury” to Mason County Sheriff Ryan Swolsky, who was “nearly struck” by Gray's cruiser, which was driving with its lights and sirens on while Gray was intoxicated.
Both Mason County and Gray's Robertson County are located in the rural north-central part of Kentucky. Robertson County has a population of approximately 2,200.
More: 'Beholden to no one': Kentucky sheriffs remain in office despite criminal charges and convictions
In her post, Grigson Miley said that since Gray was arrested last week, she had received more than 30 inquiries from people “expressing their desire to complete Gray's term and also run for next year's election as sheriff.”
However, she added, “An appointment now would give any candidate for sheriff a clear advantage in next year's election. Currently, our county is experiencing what I can only describe as trauma, and I believe that next year's elected sheriff should be chosen entirely by the citizens of Robertson County, and as a result of a 'level playing field'.”
Grigson Miley said the decision to choose Insko was supported by the province's five magistrates.
Insko stepped down as Robertson County sheriff in 2013 after serving in the position for more than two decades, according to a Ledger Independent story about his retirement.
According to that document, Insko retired before his term expired.
An attempt to reach Insko for comment on October 13 was not immediately returned.
According to a 1993 Lexington Herald Leader column, Insko graduated from high school in 1967, meaning he's probably in his 70s today.
It is unclear when he will come to power.
Josh Wood is an investigative journalist who focuses on public safety and government. He can be reached at [email protected] or at @JWoodJourno.
This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: New Robertson County sheriff named after Terry Gray's third DUI arrest
