Family remembers Bath County chief deputy who died suddenly

BATH CO., Ky. (LEX 18) – A longtime member of multiple law enforcement agencies in Bath County died this weekend.

Wes Everman served as a police officer, a firefighter and most recently a chief deputy at the sheriff’s office during his decades-long career.

“I loved him to death and I know he loved me,” said his cousin Jimmy Everman. “I would do anything for him and he would do anything for me.”

A memorial to Everman with a sheriff’s vehicle sits outside the funeral home in Owingsville.

“He wasn’t the kind of cop who would take you to jail just because he could. All these young kids respected him,” Everman said. “If he could save one, that was his mission, and you don’t know if he would put them in jail.”

Everman was the father of three children and had grandchildren. A procession passed through Owingsville on Sunday.

According to the sheriff’s office, Everman went out for a burglary Saturday morning. A few hours later, after he returned home, his cousin said Everman died of an apparent heart attack.

“He loved the community and he loved the people,” Everman said. “They will miss him very much.”

Chief Deputy Everman will be buried Thursday in Bath County. The school district has canceled classes because his funeral will take place in the county high school auditorium. It is open to the public.