Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Two Cadet Classes Graduate From Kentucky State Police Academy

(FRANKFORT, Ky.)-Eighty-eight state trooper cadets received diplomas during Kentucky State Police Academy graduation ceremonies today in Frankfort. With their addition to the force, the agency strength reaches a total of 1,013 sworn officers serving the citizens of the Commonwealth.
 In addressing the new troopers, Gov. Ernie Fletcher noted, “Their dedication to endure the many weeks of training that is required to attain this status is commendable in and of itself. The dedication that it will take to come to perpetuate the image and professionalism is immeasurable. They will serve as an example for their communities as they exhibit those intangible characteristics of fairness, integrity, pride and honor.”
 Sixty six of the cadets comprised Class 84, which started 22 weeks of training on July 17, 2005. Twenty two of the cadets made up Class 85, an accelerated program for individuals with previous law enforcement experience. Their 11 weeks of training started on Oct. 2, 2005.
 According to Kentucky State Police Commissioner Mark Miller, the 88 graduates are the largest number of KSP cadets to graduate at one time. He also noted that a total of 124 troopers have graduated from training this year, the most in one year since 1975.
“Completing the Kentucky State Police Academy is a rigorous endeavor that requires intelligence, physical stamina, sacrifice and a deep commitment to a greater service,” said Miller. “The distinctive gray uniform and campaign hat of the Kentucky State Police are earned, not given. Each one of these cadets deserves a salute for achieving this goal.”
Several members of each class earned special recognitions including Class 84 valedictorian Chris Sutton, of Crestwood, Ky.; Class 84  salutatorian Bradley Haley, of Murray, Ky.; Class 85 valedictorian Scott Allen, of Crittenden, Ky. and Class 85 salutatorian Jason Briscoe, of Lawrenceburg, Ky.
 Class 84 Cadet Hector Alcala, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., and Class 85 Cadet Scott Allen, of Crittenden, Ky., received the Ernie Bivens Award, an honor presented to the cadet who, in the opinion of the Kentucky State Police Academy staff supported by input from the cadets themselves, distinguishes themself as a class leader, strives for academic excellence and has excelled in all phases of the academy’s physical and vocational training.
The following is a list of the new troopers, their hometowns or residences and their duty assignments:
Cadet Class 84
Joel Anderson Abner, Jackson, Ky, KSP Post 13 Hazard  
Edward M. Abner, Evarts, Ky, KSP Post 10 Harlan
John E. Adams, Eddyville, Ky., KSP Post 15 Columbia
Hector F. Alcala, Mt. Sterling, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead
Jared L. Alfrey, Marysville, Ohio, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
John M. Allen, Bowling Green, Ky, KSP Post 3 Bowling Green
Brad Austin, Paintsville, Ky, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Jared L. Boggs, Cumberland, Ky, KSP Post 10 Harlan
Donald R. Bowman, Murray, Ky, KSP Post 1 Mayfield
Kurt B. Buhts, Louisville, Ky, KSP Post 5 Campbellsburg
Matthew D. Cardwell, Bowling Green, Ky, KSP Post 3 Bowling Green
Christopher T. Carter, Catlettsburg, Ky, KSP Post 14, Ashland
Thomas M. Clifton, Mayfield, Ky, KSP Post 1 Mayfield
Lloyd W. Cochran, Harlan, Ky, KSP Post 13 Hazard
Ivan Lee Dennison, Big Clifity, Ky, KSP Post 2 Madisonville
Jason G. Denny, Lancaster, Ky, KSP Post 7 Richmond
Eric M. Dilback, Sturgis, Ky, KSP Post 16 Henderson
Chad Lee Easterling, Chavies, Ky, KSP Post 13 Hazard
Richard Atwell Ellis, Shelbyville, Ky, KSP Post 5 Campbellsburg
John Scott Felder, Winchester, Ky, KSP Post 7 Richmond
Matthew J. Foster, Burna, Ky, KSP Post 2 Madisonville
Eric L. Gibson, Davin, West Va., KSP Post 9 Pikeville
James H. Green, III, Murray, Ky, KSP Post 1 Mayfield
Brad Haley, Murray, Ky, KSP Post 1 Mayfield
Dale Allen Harper, Sandy Hook, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead
David K. Holland, Paris, Ky, KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge
John Samuel Hubbard, Columbia, Ky, KSP Post 15 Columbia
Adam S. Hutchison, Hardinsburg, Ky, KSP Post 16 Henderson
James A. Jackson, Union, Ky, KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge
Bryan E. Johnson, Wallins, Ky, KSP Post 10 Harlan
Tony R. Jones, Frankfort, Ky, KSP Post 12 Frankfort
Edward Shaler Jones, Albany, Ky, KSP Post 11 London
Michael S. King, Berea, Ky, KSP Post 11 London
Kristopher L. Kirk, Winfield, West Va., KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Joshua S. Lawson, Morehead, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead
Seth A. Lee, Leitchfield, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Brent D. Lynch, Booneville, Ky, KSP Post 7 Richmond
David A. Manley, Owensboro, Ky, KSP Post 3 Bowling Green
T. Kyle Moffett, Smithfield, Ky, KSP Post 5 Campbellsburg
Nathan T. Moore -Louisville, Ky, KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge
John R. Morgan -Lexington, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead
Kyle J. Nall -Mayfield, Ky, KSP Post 1 Mayfield
Robert R. Purdy -Gainesville, Tx, KSP Post 7 Richmond
Christopher S. Rafferty -Leitchfield, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Nathan D. Rhodes -Campbellsville, Ky, KSP Post 15 Columbia
James W. Richard -Columbia, Ky, KSP Post 15 Columbia
Randall M. Riley -Vicco, Ky, KSP Post 13 Hazard
Justin Edwin Sams -Frankfort, Ky, KSP Post 5 Campbellsburg
Benjamin W. Sawyer -Nashville, Tn, KSP Post 2 Madisonville
Charles J. Senters -Manchester, Ky, KSP Post 11 London
Steve A. Smallwood -Corbin, Ky, KSP Post 11 London
Derek A. Smith -Calvert City, Ky, KSP Post 2 Madisonville
Hoyt L. Smith-Pikeville, Ky, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Emilio M. Soto -Mt. Washington, Ky, KSP Post 5 Campbellsburg
Stephen P. Spurlock -Harlan, Ky, KSP Post 12 Frankfort
Bradly L. Stotts -Columbia, Ky, KSP Post 15 Columbia
Christopher J. Sutton -Crestwood, Ky, KSP Post 5 Campbellsburg
Gary M. Sykes -Elkhorn City, Ky, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Tony Tackett Jr. -Galveston, Ky, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Kevin S. Thacker -Shelbyiana, Ky, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Zachary B. Thompson -Ashland, Ky, KSP Post 14 Ashland
Jason Vanhook -London, Ky, KSP Post 11 London
Jonathan L. Vaughn-Magnolia, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Robert Clinton Walker -Summersville, Ky, KSP Post 15 Columbia
Matthew L.Wise-Beaver Dam, Ky, KSP Post 16 Henderson
David P. Zimmerman -Ashland, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead

Cadet Class 85
Scott L. Allen, Crittenden, Ky, KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge
Bobby G. Amon, Lancaster, Ky, KSP Post 7 Richmond
Christopher D. Arnett, Paris, Ky., KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge
Jason K. Briscoe, Lawrenceburg, Ky, KSP Post 12 Frankfort
Jeff J. Crase, Campton, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead
Donald G. Crawford, Salem, Ky, KSP Post 1, Mayfield
Jason D. Drane, Falls Of Rough, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
James S. Ferrell, Frenchburg, Ky, KSP Post 8 Morehead
John Gabbard, Jackson, Ky, KSP Post 1, Mayfield
Maurice K. Greene, Boston, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Michael A. Hatler, Alvaton, Ky, KSP Post 3, Bowling Green
Michael K. Henderson, Leitchfield, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Gregory W. Hill, London, Ky, KSP Post 11 London
George W. Howard, Pineville, Ky, KSP Post 10 Harlan
Jeffrey D. Jenkins, Elizabethtown, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Brett S. Miller, Mayfield, Ky, KSP Post 1, Mayfield
Adam D. Morgan, Scottsville, Ky, KSP Post 3, Bowling Green
Jon S. Parks, Richmond, Ky, KSP Post 7 Richmond
William E. Petry, Prestonsburg, Ky, KSP Post 9 Pikeville
Chad A. Smith, Smiths Grove, Ky, KSP Post 3 Bowling Green
Dennis L.Wells, Buffalo, Ky, KSP Post 4 Elizabethtown
Jonathon N. Whittaker, Beaver Dam, Ky, KSP Post 16 Henderson

“Recruiting and training new troopers is a constant effort,” Miller added. “To maintain our strength and quality standards, we’re always looking for good people who want to make a difference with a career as a Kentucky state trooper.”
For information about how to become a Kentucky State Police Trooper, contact the KSP Recruitment Branch toll free at 1-866-360-3165 or visit the KSP web site at www.kentuckystatepolice.org.