Fifteen Honored for Service to KVE

Frankfort, KY – Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence, who also serves as The Justice Cabinet Secretary, congratulated Officer Derek Hines, of Lincoln County, as he received KVE’s “Jason Cammack – Officer of the Year Award”.

“We have some of the best law enforcement officers in the nation,” said Pence during the ceremony. “I’ve been around a lot of officers in my life, including my time as U.S. Attorney. I’ve never been around a better group of men and women.”

“We have one of the premier departments of this nature in the country,” says KVE Commissioner Greg Howard. “It’s because of people like this that we have achieved that level of success.”

Other award winners include:

Meritorious Service
Officer Tim Prichard – Carter County

Meritorious Achievement
Officer Thomas Gearheart – Pike County
Officer Tony Wilson – Gallatin County
Officer Steve Burke – Warren County

Drug Award
Officer Dennis Hutchinson – Pike County
Officer Joey Conn – Green County

Civilian Employee of the Year
Carol Gootee – Gallatin County

Life Saving Award
Officer James McGaha – Bullitt County
Officer Ken Hightower – Harlan County

Bravery Award
Captain Phillip Frazier – Powell County
Sergeant Phillip Frazier, Jr. – Powell County

DUI Award
Officer Thomas Gearheart – Pike County

KVE also honored two private citizens for their efforts in aiding officers during critical situations.

Outstanding Citizen Award
Donald Bandach – Madison County
Phillip Hicks –Knott County

“There is no greater honor, no tougher challenge then being a police officer,” says Howard. We have raised the bar of expectations high. Only through higher standards and holding each other accountable can we reach our goals.”

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