MOUNT VERNON — In a brief ceremony Friday, the sheriff’s office building on the Knox County Fairgrounds was renamed in memory of Deputy Janet Hunter. Hunter died in 2004.
Knox County Sheriff David Barber said the building was constructed in 1990 due to the hard work of the Special Deputies Unit and the help and contributions of lots of individuals and businesses in Knox County. In the first renovation since construction, a roof has been added over the deck.
“My plan is, later this year, after the fair, to renovate the inside,” said Barber.
The building is used as the sheriff’s operations center during fair week, and as a satellite office for training and meetings.
“When we decided to rededicate the building this year, we felt it was appropriate to rededicate the building in memory of Janet Hunter,” he said. “Janet served the Knox County Sheriff’s Office with pride and distinction for nine years working in the jail, community relations and patrol divisions before losing a long and courageous battle with a rare blood disorder.”
Barber said that as a youth, Hunter showed animals at the fair; as a deputy, she loved working on the fairgrounds during the fair.
Hunter’s mother, father and sister were present for the rededication, as were a few friends and former co-workers.
“Jan’s family and I really appreciate this,” said Janet’s mother, Maureen Hunter. “Jan would have loved this. The only thing better would be if there was rain. She loved the rain.”
“Thank you,” she said.