{"id":55362,"date":"2026-01-30T12:27:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov\/?p=55362"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:27:10","slug":"hq-1-30-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov\/news\/hq-1-30-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Beshear, Lt. Gov. Coleman, Kentucky State Police Welcome New Troopers Ready To Protect and Serve the Commonwealth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 30, 2026)<\/strong> \u2014 Today, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman announced the graduation of 32 cadets from the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Training Academy, marking the start of their careers as state troopers serving communities across the commonwealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, these 32 new troopers join a storied 77-year history of excellence and service by the Kentucky State Police,\u201d Lt. Gov. Coleman said. \u201cAll of Kentucky is thankful for the service of the over 1,800 employees who make up the agency, including more than 800 troopers and officers, and their dedication to protecting our people. I join the entire commonwealth in praying for your safety and success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cadet Class 106 reported to the KSP Academy on Aug. 10 and completed 24 weeks of intensive academic instruction and practical training designed to prepare them for the challenges of modern law enforcement. Cadet in the class 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the graduation ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. commended the graduates for their determination and resilience throughout the academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCompleting this academy requires grit, focus and an unwavering commitment to public service,\u201d Commissioner Burnett said. \u201cThese troopers have met high standards every step of the way, and our academy staff has worked tirelessly to ensure they are ready for the realities of this profession. I am confident they will carry out their duties with integrity, courage and professionalism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KSP Academy Commander Capt. Joey Vorbeck emphasized that the academy experience extends beyond technical skills, with a focus on leadership and character development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver the past 24 weeks, these cadets have been pushed to their limits mentally and physically,\u201d Capt. Vorbeck said. \u201cThey met every expectation placed before them and have grown into confident, capable troopers. Cadet Class 106 leaves this academy prepared to serve Kentucky with professionalism and pride.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cadet Class 106 included Trooper Matthew Barham, the first cadet to successfully complete the KSP Apprenticeship Program<\/a>. As part of the program, Trooper Barham began his career with the agency two years ago as a telecommunicator. The program allows individuals to begin their career with the agency at age 18, gaining experience as a telecommunicator or commercial vehicle inspector before they are eligible to apply for the academy and become a trooper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KSP will welcome the next cadet class to the academy on May 17. Those interested in pursuing a career as a KSP trooper are encouraged to visit the agency\u2019s website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cadet Class 106 graduates and their assigned posts are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 1, MAYFIELD      
<\/strong>Ricky Damron, Williamsburg, Ky.
Cameron Lindsey, Paducah, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 3, BOWLING GREEN
<\/strong>Gabriel Wheeler, Glasgow, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 4, ELIZABETHTOWN
<\/strong>Hannah Keeling, Bardstown, Ky.
Blake Russell, Springfield, Ky.
Victor Tran, Louisville, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 6, DRY RIDGE
<\/strong>Mason Budny, Wheaton, Illinois
Daniel Campbell, Carlisle, Ky.
Alex Harris, Russell Springs, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 7, RICHMOND
<\/strong>Jayce Hacker, London, Ky.
Hayden Mullins, Jackson, Ky.
Trenton Rice, Hyden, Ky.
Bailie Wilson, Annville, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 8, MOREHEAD
<\/strong>William Carver, Morehead, Ky.
Matthew Dugan, Williamsburg, Ky
Jace Fugate, Jackson, Ky.
Noah Harden, West Liberty, Ky.
Kaleb Slone, Beattyville, Ky.
Alexander Watkins, Jackson, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 10, HARLAN
<\/strong>Jerred Lovins, London, Ky.
Andrew Stephens, Stearns, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 11, LONDON
<\/strong>Coty Arnold, Manchester, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 12, FRANKFORT
<\/strong>Matthew Barham, Taylorsville, Ky.
Shawn Rodriguez, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Sedrick Rugwiro, Nakivale Refugee Camp, Uganda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 14, ASHLAND
<\/strong>Steven Banks, Belfry, Ky.
Tyler Belcher, Elkhorn City, Ky.
Sean Miller, Virgie, Ky.
Caleb Porter, Ashland, Ky.
Tyson White, Phelps, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 15, COLUMBIA
<\/strong>Joshua Murphy, Liberty, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 16, HENDERSON
<\/strong>Nathan Francis, Henderson, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several members of the graduating class received special recognition during the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trooper Daniel Campbell received the \u2018Ernie Bivens Award\u2019. 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\u2019s physical and vocational training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class Valedictorian award, which includes a new 2024 Dodge Durango police cruiser, was awarded to Trooper Gabriel Wheeler. The Salutatorian was awarded to Trooper Kaleb Slone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trooper Matthew Barham received the \u2018Commissioner\u2019s Commitment to Excellence Award\u2019. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twelve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cadet Class 106 graduates who earned an associate degree while at the training academy are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Barham, Taylorsville, Ky.
Matthew Dugan, Williamsburg, Ky.
Nathan Francis, Henderson, Ky.
Jayce Hacker, London, Ky.
Noah Harden, West Liberty, Ky.
Alex Harris, Russell Springs, Ky.
Jerred Lovins, London, Ky.
Sean Miller, Virgie, Ky.
Joshua Murphy, Liberty, Ky.
Shawn Rodriguez, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Gabriel Wheeler, Glasgow, Ky.
Bailie Wilson, Annville, Ky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These graduating cadets will uphold KSP\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kentucky State Police is dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting a professional, diverse and well-equipped workforce to serve the commonwealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Beshear-Coleman administration\u2019s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The Governor\u2019s public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Gov. Beshear requested funding<\/a> that will support victims of crime and obtain justice through additional positions for the state police crime labs while improving radio communications for all law enforcement agencies in Kentucky. In December, the Governor joined<\/a> the Kentucky State Police and first responders in Mayfield to bring local agencies onto the new Kentucky State Police radio system. The funding requested by the administration to the General Assembly is necessary to complete the radio system project statewide to ensure Kentuckians in every part of the commonwealth can receive first responder services with no gaps in radio coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 Crime in Kentucky report<\/a>, released in June 2025<\/a>, shows that, from 2023 to 2024, reports of serious crime decreased by 7.66%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last September<\/a>, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined KSP to break ground on a new, state-of-the-art Drivers\u2019 Skills Pad at the agency\u2019s training academy in Frankfort. The $2.7 million project will provide troopers, officers and cadets with a facility dedicated to safely practice and refine advanced driving techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April of last year<\/a>, Gov. Beshear was joined by members of the Cash family, the Kentucky law enforcement community and the Department of Criminal Justice Training to officially open the doors to the new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty. The 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 that will support training all of Kentucky\u2019s law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of his second term, the Governor proposed<\/a> 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<\/a> 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 with an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s history that funding has been allocated for this much-needed expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about KSP\u2019s commitment to creating a better Kentucky by making the commonwealth\u2019s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure by providing exceptional law enforcement, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

# # #<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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