Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the recipients of the 2025 Outstanding County Attorney and Outstanding Commonwealth’s Attorney awards at the Kentucky Prosecutors Conference this week in Lexington.
This year’s award recipients are Logan County Attorney Joe Ross and Commonwealth’s Attorney Shane Young.
Ross is a member of the KACo Board of Directors and is president of the Kentucky County Attorneys Association. He previously served as both an assistant county attorney and assistant commonwealth’s attorney. He has been Logan County Attorney since 2011.
“Throughout his impressive career, Joe never stops showing up. He has volunteered and been elected to serve on various boards, all to better support Logan County families and his colleagues across Kentucky,” Attorney General Coleman said.
“Joe’s leadership will lead to Kentucky prosecutors being able to recruit and retain top talent in their work to keep families safe. I’m proud to recognize his outstanding leadership and dedication,” Coleman added.
“It has been a privilege to take on a role beyond our county with the goal of creating a better and safer Kentucky for all,” Ross said. “I’m grateful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me and [the] recognition from the Attorney General,” Ross said.
Young is in his third term as Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 9th Circuit and is a former president of the Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorney Association.
“Shane has never shied away from a challenge,” Coleman said. “There was no hesitation on Shane’s part when he took on a decade-old murder case and ultimately secured three convictions. On behalf of our Office, the people of Nelson County, and the family of Crystal Rogers, we are grateful for his dedication and tireless pursuit of justice.”
Young previously served in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Jefferson County. He later became a prosecutor in that office, eventually serving as Division Chief of the Narcotics Division.
“To be selected and recognized from a group of such distinguished colleagues and friends is an honor,” Young said. “I am grateful to be in a role that over the years has allowed me to provide not just justice but closure to so many Kentucky families."
About the conferenceThe three-day prosecutors conference brings together Kentucky’s 120 county attorneys and 57 commonwealth’s attorneys, offering an opportunity for prosecutors to exchange ideas and experiences on effective practices within their offices. The conference also provides valuable training sessions and presentations from experts in various fields, with the goal of professional development.
