New leadership roles increase the safety of the commonwealth

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2022) – Today, Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) recognized 31 troopers and officers who have been promoted into leadership roles since Nov. 1, 2021, including one major, two captains, three lieutenants, and 25 sergeants with a mission of creating a better Kentucky through public safety efforts and service to all Kentuckians.

“The Kentucky State Police is a key part of the commonwealth’s efforts to enhance the safety of all Kentucky’s communities,” Gov. Beshear said. “We owe each trooper and officer a debt of gratitude for sacrificing their lives for a better Kentucky. Thank you for wearing the badge of honor, creating safer communities and being on Team Kentucky.”

Also, during the ceremony KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. encouraged the recently promoted leaders to continue leading by example, putting integrity and honesty first and making Kentucky’s safety the utmost priority.

“As I look out at you today, I see leaders who will continually instill the highest levels of professionalism into those they lead,” said Commissioner Burnett. “I see leaders that will ensure those they lead provide public safety for all citizens of the commonwealth. I am proud of the work you have put into this promotional process and look forward to seeing how you will impact this agency.”

Those recognized during today’s ceremony and their new leadership titles are:

• Captain Jeremy S. Hamm was promoted to major and is assigned to the Office of Technical Services Division.
• Lieutenant James H. Green III was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Internal Affairs Branch.
• Lieutenant Kenny N. Johnson was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Program Support Branch.
• Sergeant Dallas R. Greer was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Special Response Team.
• Sergeant Trenton L. Miller was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Facilities Security Branch.
• Sergeant William B. Sparks was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.
• Trooper Aaron P. Jestes was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 1, Mayfield.
• Trooper Alison J. Ramsey was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Security Branch.
• Trooper Blake E. Owens was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 4, Elizabethtown.
• Officer David M. Beaver was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Facilities Security Branch.
• Officer George T. Pointer was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the CVE West Region.
• Trooper Harrison J. Wells was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.
• Trooper Heath L. Ayres was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Special Response Team.
• Trooper Jack A. Hedges was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Critical Incident Response Team.
• Trooper James R. Austin was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 16, Henderson.
• Trooper James E. Moore was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Critical Incident Response Team.
• Trooper Jason K. Briscoe was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 12, Frankfort.
• Trooper Jeffrey A. Moore was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.
• Trooper Jeffrey C. Stumbo was promoted to sergeant and is assigned Post 6, Dry Ridge.
• Trooper John E. Adams was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 5, Campbellsburg.
• Trooper Joseph F. Brown was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 5, Campbellsburg.
• Trooper Justin M. Rundles was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Academy Branch.
• Trooper Leslie E. Strong was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Electronic Crime Branch.
• Officer Lucas A. Salyer was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Program Support Branch.
• Trooper Marvin L. Blakey II was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 15, Columbia.
• Trooper Matthew C. Sudduth was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Public Affairs Branch.
• Officer Matthew J. Hutti was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the CVE Central Region.
• Trooper Michael J. Snowden was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Academy Branch.
• Officer Michael R. Hamblin was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the CVE Central Region.
• Officer Robert B. Andrus was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Drivers Testing Branch.
• Trooper Zachary E. Lusk was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Aircraft Branch.

KSP’s focus this year is to maintain and strengthen its essential workforce in order to better provide public safety, maintain critical services and better reflect the diverse communities that KSP serves. For more information about KSP’s commitment of creating a better Kentucky by making the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure by providing exceptional law enforcement, click here.

Beshear-Coleman Administration Commitment to Making Kentucky a National Leader in Public Safety

The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The public safety actions already taken by the Governor are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky now and into the future.

The recently enacted bipartisan state budget signed by Gov. Andy Beshear allows the commonwealth to take additional steps forward to make Kentucky a leader in public safety by enhancing law enforcement training, creating safer communities and improving the safety of both law enforcement officers and Kentuckians. In July, the Governor announced additional steps to enhance public and officer safety including funding for firearms training, Western Kentucky training facility, increased training stipend.

Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded almost $8 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase the tools and resources that will not only allow them to protect our communities but will also ensure their own safety as they stand on the front lines every day. Recently, the administration announced nearly $2 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.

In Oct., the administration took another step forward in creating safer communities by awarding more than $350,000 in grant funding to prevent youth crime across the commonwealth

In June, Gov. Beshear announced the Military to Law Enforcement Program (M-2-LE). M-2-LE allows local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky to hire active service members within all branches of the U.S. Military during their last 180 days of service. Upon being contracted by a law enforcement agency, the military member will continue to receive their pay and benefits from the U.S. Military while they undergo law enforcement training at DOCJT.

In April, the Governor signed into law two pieces of legislation recently passed by the General Assembly to make historic investments in law enforcement by providing funds to KSP to recruit, train and retain the essential workforce needed to continue to provide the highest level of security to all Kentuckians. House Bill 259 ensures that all troopers will receive a $15,000 raise. Additionally, KSP’s starting pay for sworn officers will increase from $37,887 to $55,888 annually. By signing Senate Bill 209, Gov. Beshear established paid vacation, sick leave and holiday pay, as well as enhanced health insurance contribution payments for retired KSP troopers and CVE officers.

Also, as the Governor recommended in January 2022, $12.2 million was included in the state budget for KSP to purchase body cameras, which is the first time in the commonwealth’s history that funding has been allocated for this much-needed expense.

Gov. Beshear has championed legislative action like Senate Bill 64 and House Bill 254, making it easier for law enforcement to conduct undercover stings and increase the chances of stopping a horrific crime against a child from being facilitated through the internet. These actions will also provide law enforcement officers with the authority to charge offenders with harsher crimes to keep them away from the public, preventing further interactions with Kentucky’s most vulnerable population.

# # #