Former Gov. Brereton Jones lies in state at Kentucky Capitol

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) -Kentucky State Police kept watch over the casket of former Governor Brereton Jones, with an honor guard that switched out troopers every 30 minutes.

It took place in the capitol rotunda, just a few feet from the office he held from 1991 to 1995.

“We really admired him. And that is why we gave him an award of as the greatest reform governor of Kentucky,” said Richard Beliles, a former president of Common Cause Kentucky.

Beliles and others say Governor Jones was instrumental in election and campaign reform, and pushing for stronger ethics that current lawmakers work to abide by.

“I think we all know he brought a culture of decency and honesty into Frankfort politics,” said Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, D-Lexington.

Jones’ family released a statement that said in part that while “horses brought Brereton Jones to Kentucky, it was the people of the commonwealth that made his life so fulfilling.” They said his greatest pride did not come in titles but helping those in need or inspiring others to do so.

People say he put Kentuckians ahead of his own political interests, noting how he pushed for governors to run for re-election but only after he left office. Current Governor Andy Beshear says he looked up to him, and not just because he was taller.

“I mean, his push on health care, on ethics reform wasn’t popular with everybody at the time. He did it because it was right and that is something I greatly respect,” said Beshear.

Jones is also being remembered for breeding horses, starting the Kentucky Equine Education Project, and being a founding member of The Breeder’s Cup.

A funeral service will take place at 10am Tuesday at Elkhorn Baptist Church in Midway. A private burial will follow.

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