File photo provided to the Times Observer Pictured third from the left is former Warren County Chief County Detective, Tom Kibbey as he and two other investigators are awarded the Outstanding Police Performance Award by the Pa. Narcotics Officers Association for their work on a case in Russell that resulted in the seizure of over 20 pounds of methamphetamine.

Thomas Kibbey, Warren County’s chief detective, has resigned after a complaint of possible misconduct and the ensuing legal probe.

Rob Greene, county district attorney, said in a news release Wednesday that he was made aware of a possible misconduct by the county’s chief county detective on Jan. 30, 2025, and requested the state Attorney General’s office to begin an investigation.

“I immediately notified defense counsel and any criminal defendants involved in cases handled by this detective of the misconduct allegations and potential exculpatory evidence. The chief detective was suspended the same day and officially resigned on March 13.”

While there had been rumors of a resignation in the District Attorney’s office, Wednesday brought the first confirmation that something was amiss.

“It is the general policy of my office not to comment on ongoing investigations,” Greene said. “However, due to the numerous rumors on social media and in an effort to be fully transparent, I feel it is now necessary that I issue this statement.”

The Times Observer reached out to the state Attorney General’s office for more information, including how many cases or defendants could be affected by the alleged misconduct and when the Attorney General’s investigation may conclude. The Attorney General’s office only confirmed that it has received the referral.

The investigation is still ongoing by the state Attorney General’s office. Warren County Court has ordered that all investigative material be sealed until the investigation is over. Wednesday afternoon, Judge Gregory Hammond’s office clarified the information in Greene’s release, saying Hammond issued three orders in criminal cases involving the former county detective directing that the Commonwealth, by and through the Warren County District Attorney’s Office and/or the state Attorney General’s office, disclose all information pertaining to the investigation of alleged misconduct by Kibbey including, but not limited to, interviews, recordings, written statements, and any other materials, to the defendants’ attorneys. The state was further ordered to update defendants with any information subsequently acquired throughout the course of the investigation. The state asked Hammond to reconsider the order, but the judge denied that request.

“As a result of the above-described orders, all material regarding the investigation that is turned over is to be sealed until further Order of Court due to the ongoing investigation,” Hammond’s statement said. “A request was subsequently made by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for Judge Hammond to reconsider the orders and withhold the details of the investigation from the defendants’ attorneys until the conclusion of the investigation. Judge Hammond entered an order denying that request. All information in this press release is publicly available from the criminal files in question. The court will have no further comment regarding this matter.”

Greene has also instructed both Cody Brown and Casey Strickland, the county’s assistant district attorneys who are also running to replace Greene, not to discuss the investigation and direct all questions to Greene, who in turn is referring questions to the Attorney General’s office.

“As the elected DA of Warren County, I am the sole individual responsible for my staff, not ADA Cody Brown or ADA Casey Strickland,” Greene said. “Especially when it comes to the Chief County Detective who only answers to me or an ADA at my direction.”

The chief detective coordinates the Warren County Drug Task Force and serves as a liaison between and with the DA’s office and the county’s law enforcement agencies, helping with trial preparation, handling the evidence room and charging crimes committed at the courthouse, among others. The position has previously been manned by law enforcement officers in a part-time capacity toward the end of their careers where benefits may not be a necessity, but was changed to a full-time position in 2021 when Kibbey was hired along with Dina, Kibbey’s K9 officer.

Kibbey was among the local police officers presented with the “Outstanding Police Performance Award” by the Pa. Narcotics Officers Association in April 2024 for their work on what is believed to be the largest drug seizure in the county’s history of more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $80,000 from a Russell residence in March 2023. Kibbey, Daniel Williams with Homeland Security Investigations and Andreu Foriska with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics were recognized. The nomination was made by a supervisor from the Attorney General’s office.

Kibbey and Dina were also recognized by former Sheriff Ken Klakamp in December 2020 after Kibbey responded to an accidental overdose in Pleasant Township and administered Narcan. Klakamp said that “brought him around” and the patient didn’t need further medical treatment.