Who is Rick?

Rick McCubbin was born and raised in Louisville, KY and attended Louisville Central High School, being bussed from Seneca his freshman year, Rick decided to “volunteer bus” and remained at Central until he graduated in 1984. Having a desire for public service, he became an Emergency Medical Technician and worked full time at the old, Louisville EMS while paying for his tution to attend the University of Louisville, where he eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice.

He began his life long goal of becoming a police officer in 1988 when he was hired by the Louisville Police Department. A street cop at heart, Rick remained on the street even after his peers elected him as the youngest president of Kentucky’s largest police organization, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). At age 29 he began his first of what would be three terms as president representing over 1100 professional men and women in law enforcement.

Not being one to remain silent on current issues involving law enforcement, Rick quickly became the “eyes, ears, and mouth” of law enforcement in the Louisville area as he took on the most controversial issues that faced Louisville police officers. Rick illustrated his leadership as he took these issues to the public and to those who voiced their concerns about the issues. Representing officers facing everything from alleged police brutality to racial profiling, Rick challenged civil rights leaders to work with, meet with, and help solve problems, not create more.

Rick’s background in labor and management issues will be an asset to his position as sheriff. Having negotiated three collective bargaining agreements with the City of Louisville, he pushed for and mandated better pay, safety first for street officers, and grievance and discipline policy that was not only fair to officers, but focused on accountability for officers. His last collective bargaining agreement was the largest in compensation and benefits in the history of the city and FOP and held so until the merger of local government.

“Fair, but firm law enforcement” has always been a guide for Rick and his leadership. While negotiating with the city, it was Rick’s leadership that added language to the agreement regarding random drug testing for police officers. Rick once stated that “…in order to gain and maintain trust, we as police officers must show responsibilty and accountabilty to those who we police”….this holds true today as the police department still requires random drug testing for officers.

Rick’s leadership in Kentucky’s largest police organization did not go unnoticed; the State of Kentucky FOP asked him to lobby along with other members in Washington, DC to meet with and lobby for nation wide law enforcement bills such as the Police Officer’s Bill of Rights and Carry Concealed for officers, to name a few. Being a staunch Republican who advocated punishing those who violate the laws, not those who respect it, he met with both sides of the political aisle for several years representing the FOP and along with the Democratic members, worked side by side to obatin both sponsors and co-sponsors to do what was right for the police, not politics.

While serving as president and illustrating his leadership, Rick was selected and nominated to President George W. Bush to become the United States Marshal for the Western District of Kentucky. President Bush then nominated him and after being confirmed by the United States Senate, Rick became the U.S. Marshal in February 2002, proudly serving in President Bush’s administration. He held that position until recently when the change in administration took the White House.

As the U.S. Marshal, Rick’s leadership style was not delayed as he quickly gained the trust and respect of the employees by evaluating, assessing, and making necessary changes within the agency. Rick was charged with 65 employees and 53 counties in the western part of Kentucky and took the initiative to create a strong, operational environment that led to institutional change for the deputies. Creating the “U.S. Marshal’s Western Kentucky Fugitive Task Force” was one of his best accomplishments and to date has over fourteen agencies and eight full time officers that work together to apprehend fugitives.

Rick has worked with numerous agencies regarding a variety of law enforcement issues. Being one who recognizes problem areas, as a problem solver, he has consulted and worked with many different criminal justice topics. Rick was traveled to Turkey, in 2006 and 2007, and spent time in that country meeting with law enforcement leaders from several other countries. He spoke before an international audience and participated in the International Police Executive Symposium on global security and crime.

As Jefferson County Sheriff, Colonel John Aubrey refers to Rick, “the federal sheriff” only proves that his leadership, style, and desire as a law enforcement official places him as the most qualified candidate in Nelson County for the office of sheriff. His duties a marshal are those as a sheriff, only at the federal level. With his background, experience, and education, Nelson Countians have a unique opportunity to elect THE candidate for sheriff.

Personal Information

Rick has been married to Nancy Sandusky McCubbin for 21 years. Nancy, a native of Lebanon, is an RN with over twenty years of experience that includes oncology among other areas. They have three children; Aaron, Sarah Beth, and Adam. Aaron attends Eastern Kentucky University in the criminal justice program, Sarah is a senior at Bethlehem High School, and Adam,is a 7th grader at St. Joseph. They live in downtown Bardstown, KY in the historic district which suites both as Rick is an avid history buff and collects antiques.

Rick grew up in the Hikes Point area of Louisville and is the son of Sharon and Lanny Brown and Ron and Brenda McCubbin. He is the oldest of five; sisters Kim, Melissa, and Amy, and one brother, Mike.

Organizations/Memberships/ Civic

Member of St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joe Men’s Club
Knights of Columbus

Past member, Joint City-County Ethics Board
Served as a volunteer basketball coach and athletic director at St. Gregory.

Professional

National Sheriffs Association (NSA)
Kentucky Association of Chief’s of Police (KACP)
Fraternal Order of Police, Past President