Kevin Cavanaugh was appointed Undersheriff by Sheriff Frank Denning and took the Oath of Office on January 12th, 2005.

Cavanaugh began his law enforcement career in his hometown of Pratt, Kansas in 1975 serving as a Police Officer, Sergeant and Captain until being appointed Chief of Police in 1990. In 1999, Cavanaugh was appointed Chief of Police in Fairway, Kansas and served in that capacity until his appointment to Undersheriff.

Undersheriff Cavanaugh has served on the Board of Directors of numerous civic organizations throughout his career. He is a Past-President of the Kansas Peace Officers Association and is also a graduate of the 172nd Session of the FBI National Academy. In 1986, Cavanaugh was selected to represent law enforcement as part of a five week Rotary International Group Study Exchange Team to the Netherlands. Much of Cavanaugh’s career has been devoted to law enforcement training to include Firearms, Officer Survival, Patrol Procedures and Report Writing. In 1997-98, Cavanaugh taught an Introduction to Law Enforcement class at Pratt Community College.

Undersheriff Cavanaugh resides in Lenexa, Kansas with his wife of 36 years, Tracy. Tracy Cavanaugh is a Registered Nurse and serves as Vice-President of Nursing for a physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation company.

When his busy schedule with the Sheriff’s Office allows, Undersheriff Cavanaugh enjoys playing golf and spending as much time as possible with Tracy and their three grown children and six grand-children.