New Chief of Police for Oak Grove appointed amid retirement announcement

Victor Lynch as been appointed as the new Chief of Police for the Oak Grove Police Department.

Christian County NowVictor Lynch appointed as new Police Chief in Oak Grove. Sept. 2, 2025 (Daynnah Carmona)

OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Major Victor Lynch has been appointed as the new Chief of Police for the Oak Grove Police Department, taking affect when Chief Dennis Cunningham retires at the end of October.

Cunningham spent years as a military police officer, and then as a police officer for Oak Grove. He moved into the role as chief in 2016, with a total of nearly 20 years spent on the force in the city with Major Lynch serving by his side throughout that entire time.

To a room full of applause, Lynch was pinned by his wife and Chief Cunningham, as Mayor Jackie Oliver officially appointed the title to him. Oliver said that around 10 candidates were interviewed for the position, and it was perfectly clear that he was the man for the job.

“20 years ago, when I started in the city of Oak Grove as a police officer I was asked ‘how long do you expect to be here?’, and I told the chief that my commitment was to the City of Oak Grove. That commitment is still strong today,” Lynch said during the meeting, also wishing Cunningham well on his retirement.

“Victor Lynch has been with the Oak Grove Police Department for over 20 years, knows the ins and outs and has the respect needed from every officer we employ,” Mayor Oliver told Christian County Now. “Victor believes in being out with the people and some of the old timers around here will remember when he was a traffic cop and always had Alf in the front seat with him.”

During Chief Cunningham’s time in the role, he said the department was focused on getting the personnel and equipment up to standards and find ways to maintain efficiency. As far as retirement goes, he is looking forward to time off and is thankful for the support of the city.

“I have no plans, I just want to not have to worry about getting up and going to work,” said Cunningham. “Regardless of what’s going on now, these people in the city have backed me 100% the whole time I’ve been here.”