09/16/2026
Barren County honors first responders during annual awards dinner
Three longtime public servants inducted into First Responder Wall of Honor
Staff Report
GLASGOW — First responders from throughout Barren County were recognized for their service during the fourth annual First Responders Ball held Saturday, Sept. 12, on the Glasgow Public Square.
The event brought together volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, emergency management and rescue workers, detention officers and 911 dispatchers.
Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd said the event has continued to grow and has become a premier celebration honoring those who devote so much of their lives to serving Barren County.
“Seeing our community come together to honor these outstanding individuals—and having their families witness that appreciation—is a tremendous feeling,” Byrd said.
Fire service honorees included Gala Huddleston of the East Barren Volunteer Fire Department, Blake Hensley of the Haywood Volunteer Fire Department, Terry Thompson of the Hiseville Volunteer Fire Department, Corey Wi******er of the Park City Volunteer Fire Department, Paul Mares of the South Barren Volunteer Fire Department and Seth Garrett of the Temple Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Marcus Thurman was recognized for his service with Barren County Emergency Management and the Barren County Rescue Squad.
Law enforcement and corrections honorees included Mark Johnson of the Barren County Sheriff’s Office, Adam Maulden of the Cave City Police Department, recently retired Glasgow Police Department Major Terry Flatt and Alex Owens of the Barren County Detention Center.
Lauren Cañas of Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Medical Services and Chrystal Dodson of Barren County 911 Dispatch were also honored.
“It was a wonderful evening recognizing those in our community who risk their lives to protect ours,” Byrd added. “We are truly blessed to have such incredible groups of first responders serving Barren County.”
A highlight of the evening was the induction of three longtime public servants into the Barren County First Responder Wall of Honor. The 2026 inductees were the late J.B. Key, former Glasgow Police Chief and Glasgow Mayor Darrell Pickett, and longtime firefighter, emergency medical technician and instructor Danny Wayne Sexton.
“Each year, the Wall of Honor recipients remind me of the importance of thanking and honoring the special people in our lives while we still can—not waiting until it is too late to show them how much they mean to us and our community,” Byrd said.
Chris Eaton introduced Key, whose public-safety career began July 31, 1973, when he was sworn in as a Barren County deputy sheriff.
Key later served as Barren County sheriff and Barren County jailer before becoming a senior ranger with Kentucky State Parks. After retiring from law enforcement in 1994, he continued serving the community as a school bus driver for Temple Hill Elementary School until his death in 2005.
Key played an important role in establishing the Temple Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He chaired the steering committee that organized the department’s first community meeting and became one of its original firefighters. He served as assistant chief during the department’s early years and later served on its board of directors.
His work extended beyond Temple Hill. Key assisted leaders in Haywood, Eastern Barren County and South Barren County as they worked to establish fire departments serving their communities.
He was also active in the Glasgow Fraternal Order of Police, state sheriffs and jailers associations, Temple Hill Baptist Church, local sports and conservation organizations and agricultural groups.
Justin Kirkpatrick introduced Pickett and recalled meeting him as a child when Pickett visited Happy Valley Elementary School through the D.A.R.E. program.
Kirkpatrick said Pickett’s example as a Glasgow police officer inspired him to pursue a career in law enforcement. Pickett later helped interview Kirkpatrick when he applied to work for the Glasgow Police Department.
Throughout his career, Pickett became known for his professionalism, integrity, accountability and compassion. He provided advice, encouragement and support to fellow officers while serving the community as a police officer, Glasgow police chief and mayor of Glasgow.
Pickett was also recognized for his dedication to his church, family and community. Kirkpatrick acknowledged Pickett’s wife, Connie, and their shared commitment to public service.
Ronnie Stinson introduced Sexton, whose public-safety career began in 1969 with the Edmonton-Metcalfe Fire Department.
After moving to Barren County, Sexton joined the Hiseville Volunteer Fire Department in 1983. He eventually became fire chief and helped the department secure grants for equipment, emergency vehicles and a new fire station.
Sexton earned his emergency medical technician certification in 1986 and worked for Barren-Metcalfe EMS. He later became a fire and EMS instructor with State Fire Rescue Training, traveling throughout the region and across Kentucky to prepare firefighters and emergency medical personnel for their work.
Many firefighters and EMTs serving Barren County and surrounding communities received training from Sexton. He became known for patiently encouraging students and helping them overcome challenges during their training.
Sexton also became a pastor during the 1970s and has led churches and revivals while sharing a message centered on faith and service.
His commitment to education continued later in life. Sexton completed an associate degree at age 60 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in fire science.
In 2018, Sexton suffered a major hemorrhagic stroke while teaching a first-aid and CPR class at a local factory. Following months of rehabilitation, he returned to teaching and continues working with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s State Fire Rescue Training program.
The Wall of Honor plaque recognizing Key, Pickett and Sexton is displayed on the third floor of the Barren County Government Center.
The awards dinner was held one day after the nation observed the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The timing served as an additional reminder of the risks first responders accept and the sacrifices made by their families.
The annual event provides an opportunity for Barren County residents and public officials to thank the volunteers and professionals who respond to fires, crashes, medical emergencies, severe weather and other crises throughout the community.
Barren County, Kentucky
Photos: MC Photography
