HAZARD, KY – On Thursday, September 30, 2021, Kentucky State Police (KSP) held the annual sworn awards ceremony in Lexington to honor 55 troopers and officers who put on a uniform each day to patrol Kentucky’s neighborhoods with a mission of serving and protecting their fellow citizens. The achievement awards presented were for acts of service that occurred during 2020.
KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. spoke during the ceremony thanking troopers and officers for going beyond their regular job duties to protect and serve the citizens of the commonwealth.
“Our troopers and officers put themselves in harm’s way every day, but these acts of heroism and service stand above the normal call of duty,” said Burnett. “Each of these recipients has demonstrated both bravery and self-sacrifice in protecting the citizens of the commonwealth.”
Ten troopers from the Post 13 area were included in those honors.
Trooper Patrick Bailey was named 2020 Post 13 Trooper of the Year. Trooper Bailey is a 2-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Detective Eric Caldwell was named 2020 Post 13 Detective of the Year. Detective Caldwell is a 12-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Detective Vicki Day was named 2020 Drug Enforcement and Special Investigations East Unit. Detective of the Year. Detective Day is a 22-year veteran of KSP assigned to the Drug Enforcement and Special Investigations East Unit.
Trooper Issac Whitaker received the KSP Citation for Meritorious Service. Trooper Whitaker is a 12-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Brandon Thomas received the KSP Citation for Meritorious Service. Trooper Thomas is a 21-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Christopher Collins received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Collins is a 21-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Joshua Huff received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Huff is an 8-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Jerry Baker Jr. received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Baker is a 4-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Bruce Kelley received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Kelley is a 25-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Matthew Gayheart received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Gayheart is an 8-year veteran of KSP and is assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Ronald Long II received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Long is a 24-year veteran of KSP and is assigned to Post 13 Hazard.
Trooper Ora Moore received the KSP Citation for Bravery. Trooper Moore is an 8-year veteran of KSP assigned to the Executive Security Branch.
Post 13 Commander Jennifer Sandlin said she is proud of the commitment and efforts of these units.
A complete listing of award recipients can be found here.
KSP’s focus 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.
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