County prosecutor files for re-election

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Prosecuting Attorney Charles Kennedy has filed nominating petitions as a Republican for re-election for the January 2017 term as prosecuting attorney.

Prosecutor Kennedy, a life-long resident of Van Wert and son of the late Edward Kennedy and LuVerne Kennedy, is a 1966 graduate of Van Wert High School and was engaged in private law practice in Van Wert from 1979 to June 2009, when he retired to become a full-time prosecutor.

Kennedy has been the county prosecuting attorney since 1989. In addition, he has served on various boards and committees throughout his career, including the Peoples Bank & Trust Company/Wells Fargo Bank Board of Directors.

A June 1970 graduate of Bowling Green State University, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with majors in history and political science. Upon graduation, Kennedy was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was trained as an infantry officer and in the Ranger, Airborne (parachute) and Jumpmaster schools.

During 1972 he was assigned as an infantry platoon leader to the 7th U.S. Cavalry in Vietnam, the last American ground combat unit in Vietnam, and also spent five months as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Army. He received a Bronze Star as a result of his service in Vietnam, as well as the Combat Infantry Badge. Kennedy later joined the U.S. Army Reserve as a member of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps and was recalled to active duty during “Operation Desert Storm”. Kennedy’s assignments as a legal officer have taken him back to Fort Benning and have included assignments to Panama, Korea, and Italy.

Kennedy retired from the Army Reserve in January of 2006 with the rank of colonel.

In December 1975, Kennedy received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in politics and public policy. Upon resigning his Regular Army commission in 1976, Kennedy entered law school at Ohio Northern University. During law school, Kennedy was chosen as a member of the Law Review, the school’s legal publication, and served as one of its editors.

On the community level, Kennedy is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Elks Lodge 1197, American Legion Post 178, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803. Kennedy is a past member of the former Van Wert Kiwanis Club, which he served as president, and Van Wert Rotary Club. He is also a member of the Van Wert County, state and national bar associations.

During Kennedy’s 27 years as prosecutor, his office has opened and handled over 4,100 criminal files and 5,000 juvenile files. Kennedy himself has successfully prosecuted many cases, ranging from simple thefts to murder. His last murder trial, for example, was in 2011 and involved the brutal strangulation murder of an 83-year-old woman by her grandson. In that case the defendant was found guilty and is currently in prison serving a sentence of 15 years to life.

In addition to criminal work, Kennedy points out that as the prosecuting attorney he is the legal advisor to all county elected officials and most appointed county board members. Other duties are numerous and include civil matters such as delinquent real estate tax foreclosures.

Kennedy points out that the biggest problem faced by his office today is a growing heroin epidemic, an epidemic that is nationwide. The majority of criminal cases handled by his office recently are related to heroin: the sale of heroin, the use of heroin, and crimes committed in an attempt to obtain money to purchase heroin.

Kennedy also credits the fine assistant prosecuting attorneys he has had over the years, which have included three judges: Judge Charles Steele (retired), Judge Kevin Taylor, and Judge Marty Burchfield – in their earlier lives. Current assistant prosecuting attorneys include Eva Yarger, Shane Lee, and Dillon Staas.

In April of this year, Kennedy was recognized by FBI Director James Comey for his work as prosecuting attorney.

“I like to work and I like my job as prosecuting attorney,” Kennedy noted. “For nearly 27 years now, 43 years counting my military service, I have served the citizens of this great country and of Van Wert County. To say that I have enjoyed every minute of this time would be dishonest as everyone knows, but overall I have a deep feeling that I have made a meaningful contribution and have served well and look forward to serving one final term.”

Kennedy also noted his age, 67, adding, “As many folks my age can appreciate, I once believed that being 67 made a person ancient. Now that I am there, I realize that I was mistaken. Given my excellent health and love for the law, I am not ready to retire.”

Prosecutor Kennedy has been married for 48 years to the former Janie Elder, daughter of Jean Elder Weaver and the late Hugh Elder, a farmer and former Pleasant Township trustee. They have three grown children, Jill Groves, a proud-stay-at- home mother, in New Haven, Indiana; Tyson, who owns and operates his own landscaping company near Delaware (Ohio); and Mike, who is a civilian consultant to various entities doing business with the Department of the Army at Fort Benning.

They also have seven grandchildren.