WOODFORD COUNTY ATTORNEY ALAN GEORGE receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman. George is the first and only Kentucky prosecutor to ever receive this award. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General)
By Scott White
Woodford Sun Staff
Report for America corps member
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Woodford County Attorney Alan George at the annual Kentucky Prosecutors Conference held last week in Lexington. George is the first county attorney to ever receive a lifetime achievement award from the Attorney General’s Office.
“Obviously, this is a tremendously moving and humbling experience to be the first and only Kentucky prosecutor to receive this award,” George said. “It has been a privilege and honor to have spent the last 45 years of my 71 years serving the good people of Woodford County. The faith this community has shown in me is more than I ever could have (asked) for. If I have achieved any small level of success, it is because of that support and that of my family, my staff, my assistants and all of the wonderful people I’ve been fortunate to work with over these many years. I will also always be indebted to my predeccesor, the late Mark Gormley, for both giving me my start here and for his guidance.”
George is Woodford County’s longest-serving county attorney, having served in the Woodford County Attorney’s Office 45 years overall, both as an assistant for 12 years under Mark Gormley and as the elected county attorney since 1994 for eight elected terms.
County attorneys are elected with jurisdiction to prosecute misdemeanors, handle juvenile issues and to serve as counsel to their county’s fiscal court. But unlike some county attorneys, George handled nearly all of the district court prosecutions as well as the bulk of the civil and administrative law required of Woodford County government.
In his eight terms, George dedicated himself to serving the people of Woodford County and the commonwealth. Much of his work has been credited with strengthening Kentucky’s DUI laws, amongst other statewide achievements.
“I have served on the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association board with Alan for 12 years, and he is just one of the nicest, most professional people I know,” Bath County Attorney Jenny Oldham told the Sun in a text. “He’s helped write multiple pieces of D.U.I. legislation that have benefited all Kentuckians and is always willing to head to Frankfort to testify on behalf of all county attorneys. Alan makes the time to share his knowledge with the rest of us, and still goes to court nearly every day. He is a heck of a hard worker!”
Coleman also lauded his achievements in strengthening D.U.I. laws.
“The experience and dedication Alan George brought to his role have served Kentucky well,” said Coleman. “Beyond nearly five decades of service, Alan will be remembered for his commitment to holding impaired drivers accountable and helping to prevent tragedies before they happen.”