Cadet Class 103 is sworn in by Judge Sara W. Combs
FRANKFORT, KY — Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced Friday that 51 cadets have graduated the agency’s training academy and are now ready to report for duty across the commonwealth.
Cadet Class 103 graduates increase the number of KSP troopers protecting Kentucky’s 120 diverse counties to approximately 940, which is the highest number of troopers the agency has employed since 2006.
“KSP is the backbone of safety in our commonwealth, and I am honored to have these 51 Kentuckians join Team Kentucky in the name of creating safer communities,” Gov. Beshear said. “I ask that the commonwealth join me and my family in praying for these brave public servants each and every day. KSP has my administration’s full support, and we will do everything we can to ensure your safety and protection, just as you do for all Kentuckians.”
During the ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. pledged the agency’s commitment to continue providing exceptional training and critical resources to the 51 graduates to ensure a successful and long career in law enforcement.
“I am pleased to welcome these new cadets to the ranks of trooper,” said Commissioner Burnett. “It’s been a hard-fought journey for each of them and they have more than earned the honor to wear our badge.”
Cadet Class 103 reported to the KSP training academy on February 26 to embark upon 24-weeks of intense training to learn the job skills necessary to perform the duties of a state trooper. These graduating cadets will uphold the mission of KSP to promote public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, safeguard property and protect individual rights.
The graduates of Cadet Class 103 received more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study in subjects such as constitutional law, juvenile and traffic law, use of force, weapons training, defensive tactics, first aid, high speed vehicle pursuit, criminal investigation, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.
The KSP Training Academy staff provide cadets with best practices, the latest technology training and legal information to help make the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure through exceptional law enforcement.
“The commonwealth’s newest troopers have been given hundreds of hours of training to help them face tomorrows challenges,” said KSP Academy Commander Capt. Shawn Darby. “They will need everyone’s genuine support throughout their career, in good times and bad.”
Cadet Class 103 graduates and their assigned posts are:
Post 1, MAYFIELDKelly Underhill, Almo, Ky.
Post 2, MADISONVILLEEthan Garrison, Dawson Springs, Ky.Leevi McMillin, Morgantown, Ky.
Post 3, BOWLING GREENCaleb Butler, Munfordville, Ky.Hayden Phillips, Glasgow, Ky.Mason Roten, Cave City, Ky.Tyler Walters, Elizabethtown, Ky.
Post 4, ELIZABETHTOWNKenneth Anderson, Okolona, Ky.James Grant III, Elizabethtown, Ky.Christopher Johnson, Bloomfield, Ky.Lukas Jones, Louisville, Ky.
Post 5, CAMPBELLSBURGRyan Newman, Louisville, Ky.Matthew Sharp, Lockport, Ky.
Post 6, DRY RIDGEMitchell Culbertson, Highland Heights, Ky.Dalton Curtis, Paris, Ky.Delaney Dees, Berea, Ky.Louis Holguin III, Lancaster, Ky.William Howard II, Harlan, Ky.
Post 7, RICHMONDZachary Leigh, Lancaster, Ky.Seth Owens, Hustonville, Ky.
Post 8, MOREHEADSkylar Pelfrey, Hazard, Ky.Christian Saylor, Brodhead, Ky.Paul Thomas, Morehead, Ky.
Post 9, PIKEVILLEKyle Amburgey, Mallie, Ky.Izaeyah Dotson, Hindman, Ky.Keithan Hamilton, Teaberry, Ky.Trevor Spurlock, Hazard, Ky.Gregory Whitson, Hazard, Ky.
Post 10, HARLANAnthony Brown, Gray, Ky.Benjamin Collett, Pineville, Ky.Charles Moore, Viper, Ky.Brian Nantz, Corbin, Ky.James Shelton, Whitesburg, Ky.
Post 11, LONDONDylan Rose, Corbin, Ky.
Post 13, HAZARDBrandon Gibson, Whitesburg, Ky.Cullen Pennington, Hyden, Ky.
Post 14, ASHLANDAustin Castle, Nippa, Ky.Jason Hall, Lexington, Ky.Logan Layne, Dana, Ky.Cody McDavid, Grayson, Ky.Dallas Salyers, Ashland, Ky.
Post 15, COLUMBIANoah Brown, Liberty, Ky.Joshua Smith, Campbellsville, Ky.Trenton Tooley, Summer Shade, Ky.Jordan Tucker, Parkers Lake, Ky.
Post 16, HENDERSONAlena Dunaway, Owensboro, Ky.Christopher Meador, Shepherdsville, Ky.Samuel Mizner, Shepherdsville, Ky.Charles Rafferty, Leitchfield, Ky.Lukas Shephard, Beaver Dam, Ky.Richard Thompson, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Several members of the graduating class received special recognition during the ceremony.
Trooper Richard Thompson received the ‘Ernie Bivens Award’. This honor is presented to a cadet who, in the opinion of the KSP Academy and fellow cadets, shows distinction as a leader, strives for academic excellence and has excelled in all phases of the academy’s physical and vocational training.
The class Valedictorian award, which includes a new 2023 police cruiser, was awarded to Trooper James Grant III. The Salutatorian was awarded to Trooper Trent Tooley.
Trooper Samuel Mizner received the ‘Commissioner’s Commitment to Excellence Award’. This is presented to the cadet who has demonstrated leadership, the desire to get the job done and is always determined to be the best every day.
Twenty-six cadets earned their associate degree in General Occupational and Technical Studies from the Bluegrass Community and Technical College during their 24-weeks at the training academy. These cadets benefited from the new hiring guidelines established by the state legislature in 2017. Through this revision, anyone who possesses a high school diploma or GED, and has three years of full-time work experience can apply for employment as a KSP Trooper and earn an associate degree during the training process.
Cadet Class 103 graduates who earned an associate’s degree are:Austin Castle, Nippa, Ky.Dalton Curtis, Paris, Ky.James Grant III, Elizabethtown, Ky.Louis Holguin III, Lancaster, Ky.William Howard II, Harlan, Ky.Christopher Johnson, Bloomfield, Ky.Logan Layne, Dana, Ky.Leevi McMillin, Morgantown, Ky.Christopher Meador, Shepherdsville, Ky.Samuel Mizner, Shepherdsville, Ky.Brian Nantz, Corbin, Ky.Ryan Newman, Louisville, Ky.Seth Owens, Hustonville, Ky.Skylar Pelfrey, Hazard, Ky.Cullen Pennington, Hyden, Ky.Charles Rafferty, Leitchfield, Ky.Dylan Rose, Corbin, Ky.Dallas Salyers, Ashland, Ky.Christian Saylor, Brodhead, Ky.James Shelton, Whitesburg, Ky.Lukas Shephard, Beaver Dam, Ky.Joshua Smith, Campbellsville, Ky.Trevor Spurlock, Hazard, Ky.Richard Thompson, Shepherdsville, Ky.Kelly Underhill, Almo, Ky.Tyler Walters, Elizabethtown, Ky.
KSP’s recruitment branch is currently accepting applications for the upcoming cadet class 104, which is slated to begin January 2024. The deadline to apply is by close of business August 31.
For more information about career opportunities with KSP visit the website.
