After 32 years serving Fayette Co. Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson to retire

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)-Fayette County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson says, “I don’t want to be the old guy that hangs on too long..It’s time. It’s the right time now.”

For 32 years Larson has dedicated his life working to protecting crime victims and making sure criminals stay off the streets.

He says, “Repeat offenders ought to be incarcerated for as long as possible, because 5% of the criminals commit 60 to 80% of the crime. I’ve always said when people say ‘Ray when are you going to hang it up?’ And I’ll hang ‘it up when we catch ’em all.”

After handling thousands of cases, he says no one case stands out, but he remembers every victim he’s helped get justice.

“They all stick out to me. The defendants not so much.

Larson has won countless awards. He was named “Kentucky’s Outstanding Prosecutor” four times, and in 1992 was honored by president George H.W. Bush at the White House. He says his office was recognized as one of the top three operations in the country for its service to crime victims.

Over the decades he’s seen the criminal justice system advance technologically by allowing DNA evidence and body camera footage into the courtroom. And he’s seen the CSI effect take hold.

Larson says, “And now juries want to see pictures of everything, they want to see video of everything, they want to see a fingerprint, they want to know about DNA…all those things juries demand.”

And at age 73 he’s stayed ahead of the curve with social media. In his retirement he says he plans to continue advocating for victims and keeping in touch with his fans

“Who knows my Ray the D.A. Facebook Page may turn into a blog.”

Larson’s last day is September 30th. Governor Matt Bevin will name a replacement.