Equipped to serve, trained to lead, ready to protect
FRANKFORT, KY - On Friday, May 2, 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced the graduation of 33 cadets from the KSP Training Academy. These troopers will join Team Kentucky by beginning their new public safety careers in communities throughout the commonwealth.
"I have known the bravery of the Kentucky State Police my whole life, and I know the courage it takes to join the ranks of this agency," Gov. Beshear said. "The 33 troopers who graduate today have taken an oath to protect our families and our communities, and my family and I are praying for safe and fulfilling careers for each of you."
Cadet Class 105 arrived at the KSP Academy on Nov. 10, beginning 24 weeks of demanding instruction and hands-on training required to become a state trooper. Cadet Class 105 underwent 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.
KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. recognized the dedication required to complete the rigorous academy during today's ceremony and expressed confidence in the cadets' ability to serve Kentucky with distinction.
"These new troopers have shown perseverance, discipline, and strength of character for the past 24 weeks," Commissioner Burnett said. "Our academy staff have invested themselves in preparing each graduate for the realities of pursuing a career in law enforcement. I know these troopers will serve Kentuckians with dedication, courage and honor."
"The KSP Academy does not solely focus on developing law enforcement skills; it also builds strong, principled leaders who will positively impact the communities they serve," KSP Academy Commander Capt. Joey Vorbeck said. "Cadet Class 105 demonstrated exceptional commitment over the last six months. They've risen to every challenge and are ready to represent our agency with pride."
Cadet Class 105 graduates and their assigned posts are:
Post 1, MAYFIELD
Connor Dunigan, Benton, Ky.
Spencer Redwine, Paducah, Ky.
Kessler Stacy, Paducah, Ky.
Post 2, MADISONVILLE
Zane Baker, Cerulean, Ky.
Noah Phillips, Greenville, Ky.
Cainan Trautman, Madisonville, Ky.
Travis VanDrew, Russellville, Ky.
James Yates, Marion, Ky.
Post 3, BOWLING GREEN
Hany Elhubishi, Alvaton, Ky.
Devin Roten, Munfordville, Ky.
Kellen Thompson, Horse Cave. Ky.
Post 5, CAMPBELLSBURG
Jordan Keister, LaGrange, Ky.
James Onkst, Milton, Ky.
Wesley Sonna, LaGrange, Ky.
Post 6, DRY RIDGE
Trevor Arendall, Hebron, Ky.
Collin Hayes, Winchester, Ky.
Post 7, RICHMOND
James Kidwell, Brodhead, Ky.
Logan White, Keavy, Ky.
Post 8, MOREHEAD
Korbin Spencer, Sandy Hook, Ky.
Garrett Wright, Sandy Hook, Ky.
Post 9, PIKEVILLE
Timothy Fletcher, Salyersville, Ky.
Nicholas Howell, Betsy Layne, Ky.
Post 10, HARLAN
Larico Lee II, Atlanta, Ga.
Hank Lockhart, Hinkle, Ky.
Stevland Simmons, Cumberland, Ky.
Khalil Slone, Hindman, Ky.
Post 11, LONDON
Derek Dennis, Monticello, Ky.
Post 12, FRANKFORT
Austin Beasley, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Jacob Thomas, Lexington, Ky.
Post 13, HAZARD
Dennis Howard, Hazard, Ky.
Chase Lucas, Whitesburg, Ky.
Marcus Prater, Hazard, Ky.
Post 15, COLUMBIA
Sean Sweat, Somerset, Ky.
Several members of the graduating class received special recognition during the ceremony.
Trooper Travis VanDrew 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 2024 Dodge Durango police cruiser, was awarded to Trooper Travis VanDrew. The Salutatorian was awarded to Trooper Wesley Sonna.
Trooper James Kidwell 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 determined to be the best each day.
Seventeen 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 105 graduates who earned an associate degree are:
Austin Beasley, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Connor Dunigan, Benton, Ky.
Timothy Fletcher, Salyersville, Ky.
Collin Hayes, Winchester, Ky.
Dennis Howard, Hazard, Ky.
Jordan Keister, LaGrange, Ky.
James Kidwell, Brodhead, Ky.
Hank Lockhart, Hinkle, Ky.
James Onkst, Milton, Ky.
Spencer Redwine, Paducah, Ky.
Devin Roten, Munfordville, Ky.
Stevland Simmons, Cumberland, Ky.
Khalil Slone, Hindman, Ky.
Kellen Thompson, Horse Cave. Ky.
Cainan Trautman, Madisonville, Ky.
Garrett Wright, Sandy Hook, Ky.
James Yates, Marion, Ky.
These graduating cadets will uphold KSP's mission 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 Kentucky State Police remain committed to building a professional, diverse and well-equipped workforce that enhances public safety across the commonwealth. Cadet Class 106 begins August 10, 2025. Those interested in becoming a Kentucky State Police Trooper are encouraged to visit our website.
The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while ensuring Kentuckians are safe and feel safe in our new Kentucky home.
Earlier this week, the Governor officially opened the doors to the new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff's Office. The Jody Cash Multipurpose Training Facility is a 42,794-square-foot facility with a 50-yard, 30-lane firing range designed for officers to learn intensive and specialized training. This facility will support training for all of Kentucky's law enforcement agencies.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded more than $12 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction, and more than $149 million in grant funding to victim service agencies across the commonwealth.
Recently, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has secured another low recidivism rate. Nearly 70% of people released from state custody over the past two years have not been re-incarcerated.
The 2023 Crime in Kentucky report, released in July of last year, indicates crime rates have remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling. For the last three consecutive years, homicide rates have been declining.
In June, Gov. Beshear announced that the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report showed that the commonwealth saw a nearly 10% decrease in drug overdose deaths last year. This is the second consecutive annual decrease.
At the beginning of his second term, the Governor proposed a $500 increase to the law enforcement annual training stipend, but the General Assembly chose to provide a combined $262 increase over the next two years. The budget signed by the Governor raises the training stipend to an all-time high of $4,562 by fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the Governor is providing part-time law enforcement officers an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.
On Nov. 10, KSP welcomed 83 cadets to the training academy to begin their journey of becoming a state trooper dedicated to serving and protecting all Kentuckians.
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.
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