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Warren County moves to add life‑ring stations and other safety measures after recent water emergencies and fatality
Summary
Following recent water emergencies at county parks — including a case in which a woman identified as Sarah Jo Reeder died after saving a child — Warren County Fiscal Court approved plans to install life‑ring toss stations at several river access points and discussed life‑jacket loaner programs and enforcement.
Warren County Fiscal Court on July 9 heard a parks and public‑safety update that proposed immediate river safety measures after recent water emergencies at Fillmore Park and Romanza Johnson Park.
Chris Comer of Warren County Parks outlined plans to install life‑ring toss stations — buoyed rings on a rope that can be thrown about 50 to 60 feet — at multiple access points, including two locations on the Oldstone side of Fillmore Park, the gym side at Fillmore, Romanza Johnson Park steps and boat launch, and Weldon Peak Park boat ramp. Parks staff said units would be installed within about 10–14 days and that funding and placement are coordinated with county staff and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife loaner program.
The court also discussed existing life‑jacket loaner stations maintained in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife; staff said those loaners were present during recent incidents but were not used. Parks staff emphasized flagging procedures tied to USGS gauges: green, yellow and red flags indicate changing risk levels and gate access.
Judge Executive described a recent drowning as a local tragedy: he said a Warren County resident, identified in the meeting as Sarah Jo Reeder, 42, died after rescuing a child at Fillmore Park. The judge offered condolences to the Reeder family and framed the safety measures as part of prevention efforts.
Bill Rector, head of the county’s public safety department, described the combined nature of water‑rescue responses in the county — involving volunteer fire departments, the sheriff’s office, emergency management and the city of Bowling Green Fire Department — and praised responders for rapid action in recent emergencies. Rector noted multiple recent events, including two fires that county volunteer responders handled with large volunteer turnout.
County staff said additional safety options will be discussed with the county fire chief and other public‑safety officials at a follow‑up meeting on July 20 and that the life‑ring stations will provide an intermediate rescue tool to bridge the time before emergency responders arrive. The court expressed appreciation for first responders and community members and recorded the safety update on the record.
