Former Christian County Sheriff William “Bill” Dillard, the first Black sheriff in Kentucky, has died at the age of 83.
Dillard defeated Tommy Simpson by 60 votes to become sheriff in 1981 and while his ascent to sheriff was historic across the commonwealth, Dillard said at the time that he felt the people of Christian County elected him because of his experience.
Dillard had already made history when he became the county’s first Black deputy 13 years before his election in 1968.
Current Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond was among those remembering Dillard, noting his historic place in Christian County and in the state of Kentucky.