Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Kentucky State Police announces Trooper of the Year, other honorees

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -The Kentucky State Police named McKee, Ky. resident Joie Peters 2005 Trooper of the Year during a special ceremony attended by Gov. Ernie Fletcher today at the Holiday Inn on Hurstborne Lane in Louisville. Forty-three other troopers and three civilians were also recognized for acts of meritorious service and achievement, valor, bravery, life-saving acts, professionalism and dedication to duty. One trooper was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

A 12-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police, Det. Peters is assigned to KSP Post 7 in Richmond, which covers Madison, Clark, Estill, Lee, Jackson, Owsley, Garrard, Lincoln, Boyle, Mercer and Jessamine counties. Some of his accomplishments during the past year include:

·Solving a 2004 Estill Co. murder case that resulted in a 25-year sentence.

·Solving an Estill Co. murder that grew out of a missing persons case, resulting in four arrests.

·Solving an Owsley Co. murder case that had originally been classified as a suicide.

·Investigating a triple murder in Owsley Co. that resulted in three arrests and the discovery of a fourth murder associated with the case.

·Phone negotiation with a subject who had barricaded himself in a Jackson Co. residence and pointed handguns at deputy sheriffs. After three hours, Peters was able to convince the subject to surrender without incident.

·Assisting the U.S. Secret Service in a Jackson Co. case involving the production of $20,000 of counterfeit money in exchange for oxycontin.

·Solving two “cold” murder cases, one dating back 16 years and the other 18 years.

“Det. Peters’ investigative skills and his determined drive to get to the truth has resulted in many arrests of suspects who thought they got away with murder,” said Capt. Greg Gay, commander of KSP Post 7. “The only people who can speak for the victims in these violent crimes are investigators and Det. Peters’ abilities speak loud and clear. His efforts are a testament to his professionalism, hard work and dedication to this agency and the citizens of the commonwealth.”

“Each day the brave men and women of the Kentucky State Police make extreme personal sacrifices and put themselves in harm’s way in order to administer the laws of our society,” said Gov. Fletcher. “In so doing, they have earned - and deserve - our respect and gratitude. The Kentucky State Police awards are a fitting tribute to these dedicated men and women and a reminder to all of us of the important role they play in our lives.”

In praising the awards recipients, KSP Commissioner Miller said it was an appropriate time to recognize these officers since the ceremony is held during National Police Week, a time designed to focus public awareness on law enforcement and to honor the memory of officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

“By recognizing the actions of meritorious service, valor and bravery here today, we honor those who have gone before us by highlighting our own daily struggles to carry on their dedication to the pursuit of law and order,” he said.

Ten troopers received the KSP Citation for Bravery, an honor bestowed on officers of the agency who perform acts of bravery, without regard for personal risk, of clear and obvious peril and clearly above and beyond the call or risk of ordinary duty. These include:

Sgt. Henry T. Carmichael, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Lt. Thomas P. Isbill, Post   3 - Bowling Green
Sr. Trooper Mark T. Johnson, Post 12 - Frankfort
Sr. Trooper Jonathan S. McChesney, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Sr. Trooper Paul D. Oldham, Post  4 - Elizabethtown
Sr. Trooper Timothy A. Payne, Post 16 - Henderson
Sr. Trooper Erik C. Salman, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Sr. Trooper Christopher A. Spradlin, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Sr. Trooper Gary F. Thornberry, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Detective Gary D. Travis, East Drug Enforcement 
   
Trooper’s Medals, awarded to officers who perform life-saving acts under extraordinary circumstances, were presented to:

Sr. Trooper Michael A. Dotson, Post 16 - Henderson
Sgt. Raymond B. Engle, Post 13 - Hazard
Det. Ezra S. Stout, Post 4-Elizabethtown

The Guthrie Crowe Award, named after the first commissioner of the Kentucky State Police and bestowed on officers who sustain a severe wound or injury in the performance of duty, was presented to:

Trooper Andy K. Olson, Post 15-Columbia

Nine troopers received the Citation for Meritorious Service with “V” Device for Valor for distinguishing themselves by an act of courage performed under more than ordinary circumstances:

Det. William B. Bowles, Post 3- Bowling Green
Sr. Trooper Larry O. Davis, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Sr. Trooper David E. Evans, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Lt. David G. Lee, Post 4 - Elizabethtown
Capt. Jeffrey C. Mayberry, Special Operations
Sr. Trooper John K. Nokes, Special Operations - Canine
Capt. William E. Payton, Post 3 - Bowling Green
Sgt. Charles C. Thompson, East Drug Enforcement
Sr. Trooper Matthew B. Travis, Post 3 - Bowling Green

The KSP Citation for Meritorious Service was presented to the following four officers who distinguished themselves by an act of meritorious service of such exceptional character that it contributed to the success of a major KSP command or endeavor:

Det. Billy T. Correll, Post 11-London
Trooper First Class Marcus W. Hopkins, East Drug Enforcement
Det. James G. Pace, East Drug Enforcement
Det. Gregory L. Wilson, West Drug Enforcement

Twenty troopers were named Trooper of the Year at the post or branch level. They include:

Det. Michael C. Williams, Post  1 - Mayfield
Det. Benjamin H. Wolcott, Post  2 - Madisonville
Det. John W. Clark, Post  3 - Bowling Green
Trooper Rodger L. Waters, Post  4 - Elizabethtown
Det. Todd M. Harwood, Post  5 - Campbellsburg
Sr. Trooper Boyd D. Ison, Post  6 - Dry Ridge
Det. Joie L. Peters, Post  7 - Richmond
Sr. Trooper Toby K. Gardner, Post  8 - Morehead
Det. Kevin J. Newsome, Post  9 - Pikeville
Sr. Trooper Jason E. York, Post 10 - Harlan
Det. Billy T. Correll, Post 11 - London
Sr. Trooper Jerry M. Wise, Post 12 - Frankfort
Det. Christopher W. Fugate, Post 13 - Hazard
Trooper First Class Markael O. Padgett, Post 14 - Ashland
Sr. Trooper Toby E. Young, Post 15 - Columbia
Det. Matthew W. Conley, Post 16 - Henderson
Sr. Trooper John K. Nokes, Special Operations
Det. James G. Pace, East Drug Enforcement
Det. Louis G. Weber, West Drug Enforcement
Trooper First Class Roger D. Cowherd, Administrative Division

Trooper Joe A. Adams, Jr., was promoted to sergeant. He will remain assigned to Post 1 at Mayfield.

The 2005 KSP Post Safe Driving Award, which recognizes the post with the highest average number of safe driving miles between assessable accidents, was presented to KSP Post 16 in Henderson.

The Commissioner’s Award, presented to civilians who perform a life-saving act or a meritorious achievement that contributes to the success of a major KSP endeavor, was presented to Telecommunicator Rebecca A. Henry of KSP Post 6 in Dry Ridge.

The agency’s highest civilian award, the KSP Citation for Meritorious Achievement, which is bestowed on individuals who perform an extraordinary act of service or heroism in direct support of an officer engaged in the official performance of duty, was presented to:

Mr. Warren Mitchell, KSP Central Laboratory, Frankfort
Special Agent David Hayes, ATF Louisville Office