Pacheco to run for Christian County Sheriff

A familiar name in local law enforcement has made it official—Erik Pacheco will run to be the Christian County Sheriff in 2026. 

Pacheco has 36 years of law enforcement experience under his belt and has held several positions with the Hopkinsville Police Department, where he is currently serving as the Deputy Police Chief. His history goes back even further than that however—speaking with WHOP News, he says it all began with his father, and he took his lead, serving the community as much and as well as he can.

Pacheco says that experience, along with his military service, have given him a deep understanding of the challenges the community faces, and he’s ready to see real change happen, and that would start with transparency, accountability and collaboration between law enforcement and the community.

One of his top priorities, outside of happening an open-door policy of communication, would be to make sure deputies are being fairly compensated for their service, which would need a review of the current pay-scale and adjustments if needed.

He says, if elected, he would be committed to this community, and he’ll be a present figure that puts people before politics. 

Pacheco has said he is running for this seat as an independent, saying his race for sheriff is for the people, not a party. Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond is currently serving his second term in that seat, having won re-election in 2022.