COLUMBIA, Ky. (September 15, 2023) – On Sept. 14, Lt. Governor Coleman and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) honored 76 troopers and officers who wear the badge of honor to serve and protect Kentucky’s 120 counties with a mission of creating a better, safer Kentucky. The awards presented were for acts of bravery and service that occurred in 2022.

During the ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. recognized the agency’s troopers and officers for going beyond the mission of KSP. In 2022, KSP responded to nearly 400,000 requests for assistance, rescued Kentuckians from the deadly Eastern Kentucky flooding, conducted thousands of wellness checks on those involved in natural disasters and dangerous weather conditions, continued in the fight against the deadly drug epidemic, obtained justice for victims, ran into unthinkable dangers, assisted local law enforcement agencies as needed and enhanced public and officer safety throughout the Commonwealth.

Post 15 Commander Captain Bradly Stotts said, “I commend Detective Burton and Trooper Mattingly for their hard work and dedication to the agency. The excellent performance they exhibit on a daily basis is the embodiment of what it is to be a Trooper.”

Two troopers from the Post 15 area were included in those honors:

• Trooper Austin Mattingly was named 2022 Post 15 Trooper of the Year. Trooper Mattingly is a 2-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 15 Columbia.
• Detective Bramlett Burton was named 2022 Post 15 Detective of the Year. Detective Burton is a 20-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 15 Columbia.

A complete listing of award recipients can be found on the KSP website.

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