KSP Troopers Boyd and Root Receive Recognition from FBI

The FBI has recognized two Kentucky State Police troopers from Post 11 in London for outstanding assistance in joint investigative efforts. Special Agent Matt Holskey presented Det. Doug Boyd with a certificate of appreciation for his efforts in an investigation into a robbery at a branch office of the Monticello Banking Co. in Monticello, Ky. Boyd identified the suspect and discovered a link to several robberies in other states. Det. Millard Root received a certificate of appreciation for his efforts during an investigation into threats made against a circuit judge in an online public forum.

Little Sandy Correctional Complex Officer Michael Cepeda returned from active duty to LSCC on May 15, 2008. According to Warden Joe Meko, no one at the institution knew of Cepeda’s heroics while in Iraq until two months ago.

“As a humble servant, we didn’t know he was the recipient of the Bronze Star until yesterday,” Meko wrote in an email on April 21, 2009.

Cepeda, a Sergeant in the Kentucky National Guard, and two of his comrades were presented the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for their combat actions during their unit’s deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The men, part of the Guard’s B-Battery, 2/138th Field Artillery (FA) were recognized Dec. 6.

When awarded with “V” device for valor and bravery in combat, the Bronze Star Medal is the fourth highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“We have examples of true Kentucky heroes out there today, guys who sacrificed themselves to save members of their unit,” said BG John Heltzel, director of emergency management for the Kentucky Guard.

Cepeda and the other two members of his unit were recognized for their bravery when a roadside bomb hit the lead Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) during a convoy escort mission.

Cepeda was knocked unconscious by the blast momentarily but once he regained consciousness, he attempted to reach headquarters on the radio and assess the situation. He also assisted, despite being injured himself, with moving two of the three other solidiers to safety. Cepeda’s acts of bravery included applying a tourniquet to the gunner’s severely injured legs and rendering medical aid to another passenger. His actions helped save their lives.

Department of Corrections Personnel Director Stephanie Appel has been elected president of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) for the Southern Region. Appel was elected to the top position in May at the organization’s annual conference in Mobile, Ala.

IPMA-HR is an organization that represents the interests of over 100,000 human resource professionals at the federal, state and local levels of government. IPMA provides information and assistance to help HR professionals increase their job performance and overall agency function by providing cost-effective products, services and educational opportunities.

As president, Appel will travel both nationally and internationally to promote the organization.

The organization is divided into four regions in the United States. Appel will preside over the 13 chapters of the Southern Region which includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Appel begins her term as president-elect on July 1, 2009 and will serve a six-year term with two years as president-elect, two years as president and two years as past president. She has served on the IPMA-HR Southern Region Governing Board for the past three years as treasurer of the Southern Region. She served as the President of the Kentucky Chapter of IPMA-HR for two terms and served on the IPMA-HR Kentucky Chapter Board of Directors for six years. Appel achieved her IPMA-HR Certified Professional designation in 2006 and was recertified in 2009.

Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Executive Director John J. Johnson is a recipient of the Charles Anderson Laureate Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The award was signed by Governor Steve Beshear and was presented by Nikki Jackson, Personnel Cabinet Secretary, Tim Longmeyer, Deputy Secretary, Personnel Cabinet, and Michele Lawlis, Executive Director, Office of Diversity and Equality, at the Governor’s EEO Conference Luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville.

The Charles Anderson Laureate Award is the Personnel Cabinet’s recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of justice and equality.      

Charles W. Anderson, Jr. joined the Kentucky General Assembly in January of 1936 and served five consecutive terms. He became the first African-American legislator in Kentucky, and the South, sworn into office since the Reconstruction Era. Throughout his tenure, Anderson was the catalyst for legislation guaranteeing opportunities for African-American students and the prohibition of racial discrimination in hiring on public building projects. He dedicated his career to equal treatment, and spearheaded a movement to allow female teachers to keep their positions after marriage. He also served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Jefferson County in 1946 and culminated his public service in 1960 when he was named as an Alternate United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly by the President of the United States. Because of his dedication and commitment to racial and social issues, the Personnel Cabinet created this award in his honor.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and federal civil rights laws, all of which make discrimination illegal.

Yvette Smith Receives 2009 ICE Award

The executive director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Contract Compliance in the Finance & Administration Cabinet got quite a surprise during the 23rd Annual Governor’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Conference.

Yvette Smith was awarded the 2009 Innovation, Collaboration and Education (ICE) Award. The ICE award recognizes EEO Coordinators who promote proactive EEO compliance and statewide diversity, while serving on the EEO Coalition. Smith was totally surprised by the award saying, “It’s nice to be recognized for doing a job you love”.

Smith has been working with the state for 20 years and has been executive director of the Finance and Administration Cabinet’s EEO office for 4½ years.

For more information on the Governor’s EEO Conference or other programs in the Office of Diversity and Equality, go to http://personnel.ky.gov/diversity/.

The Kentucky State Police Academy presented diplomas to 34 new troopers at ceremonies held June 12 in Frankfort. Their addition to the force brings the agency’s strength to a total of 928 troopers serving the citizens of the Commonwealth.

“You have achieved what many have not,” Gov. Steve Beshear told the new troopers. “You are about to make an important impression on the lives of the citizens of Kentucky,” he said. “At one point in your career, they will ask you ‘to be there.’  We understand and are grateful for your service and sacrifice. The people of the Commonwealth are proud of you.”

The new troopers, which include one female and one former Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer, started a 23-week training cycle on Jan. 4, 2009 in a class that consisted of 55 cadets. Their training included 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, survival Spanish, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, land navigation, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.

“These cadets faced daily challenges that required intelligence, physical stamina, sacrifice and a deep commitment to service,” said KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer. “The attrition rate was high, but the high standards and rigorous training will pay off as the new troopers face challenges in the field.”

“These troopers stand on the shoulders of all those who have gone before them,” added Brewer. “We welcome them to the ranks of Kentucky’s ‘Thin Gray Line’ as they take up the torch of law and order and carry it into the future.”

Greensburg, Ky.-resident Trooper Andy K. Olson (second from left) received the 2008 Kentucky State Police Trooper of the Year Award and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Larry Farris (third from left), a resident of Maysville, Ky., received the 2008 Jason Cammack Officer of the Year Award from J. Michael Brown, secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (right) and KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer (left) on May 20 in Frankfort.

The Kentucky State Police announced the Trooper of the Year, the Commercial Vehicle Officer of the Year and 70 other awards for acts of meritorious service, achievement, valor, bravery, life-saving acts, professionalism and dedication to duty on May 20 at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.

Greensburg, Ky.-resident Andy K. Olson was named “2008 Trooper of the Year” A five-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police, Olson is assigned to KSP Post 15 in Columbia.

According to Capt. Greg Baird, commander of Post 15, Trooper Olson’s “investigative tenacity” was a significant factor in the successful conclusion of two major felony cases during 2008. One involved the repeated rape of two juveniles. After persistent and exhaustive effort, Olson identified and arrested two adult perpetrators. Both were convicted and received multiple year sentences.

In another case, Olson’s perseverance and attention to detail led to multiple arrests resulting in the termination of a major cocaine trafficking and burglary ring.

A native of Campbellsville, Ky., Olson is a 2000 graduate of Taylor County High School and a 2004 graduate of Lindsey Wilson College in Adair County. He is the son of Bill and Leitha Olson of Campbellsville.

Maysville, Ky.-resident Larry Farris was named the 2008 Jason Cammack Officer of the Year for the KSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. A three-year veteran of the division, Farris serves as a CVE Officer I in Region 5 based in Morehead.

In 2008, Farris carried out 640 vehicle safety inspections which unveiled 841 safety violations. He wrote 624 commercial citations (310 for speeding) and 402 non-commercial citations for a total of 1,026. He also investigated 21 vehicle crashes of which 12 involved Class A trucks with three fatalities.

A former Maysville police officer, Farris is a 1991 graduate of Lewis County High School in Vanceburg. He is the son of Larry and Diane Farris of Maysville.

Eleven 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:

• Trooper John E. Adams --Post 15, Columbia
• Sgt. Lonnie W. Bell --Post 16, Henderson
• Trooper Willard Scott Bunch --Post 11, London
• Trooper Brett A. Coomes --Post 3, Bowling Green
• Trooper Jerry M. Knight --Post 2, Madisonville
• Detective Scott A. Lengle -- Post 6, Dry Ridge
• Trooper David T. Long – Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper Gary Martin (retired) --Post 11, London
• Trooper Timothye Kyle Moffett --Special Operations Branch
• Sgt. Howard R. Rice -- Post 5, Campbellsburg
• Detective Jeffery L. Vincent – Vehicle Investigation

Trooper’s Medals, awarded to officers who perform life-saving acts under extraordinary circumstances, were presented to:

• Trooper James K. Burton -- Post 4, Elizabethtown
• Trooper Donnie R. Moses -- Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper Everett E. Whitaker -- Post 13, Hazard
• Trooper Richard W. Wright – Post 1, Mayfield

Twenty-three 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:

• Detective George Atwood -- Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper Johnathan R. Boyd -- Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper Norman Chaffins, Jr. -- Post 4, Elizabethtown
• Trooper First Class Mark L. Combs -- Special Operations
• Detective Russell L. Decker-- Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper Barry J. Eaton -- Special Operations (Received two awards for separate incidents.)
• Sgt. J.W. Gibson -- Post 14, Ashland
• Lt. Brandon Hammers --Aircraft Branch
• Detective Scott Hammonds – West Drug Enforcement
• Sgt. Kevin Hunt -- Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper Jeremy S. Johnson --Post 15 Columbia
• Sgt. Chris Knifley -- Special Operations
• Sgt. Kevin S. Minor --Aircraft Branch
• Trooper Jon S. Parks --Post 7, Richmond
• Trooper Seth C. Payne -- Special Operations
• Trooper William E. Petry--Post 9, Pikeville
• Trooper James W. Richard --Post 15, Columbia
• Trooper William L. Shuffett, II --Special Operations
• Trooper David L. Smith --Post 15, Columbia
• Sgt. Bobby Sullivan (retired) --Post 15, Columbia
• Lt. Jeffrey Suratt --Post 15, Columbia
• Detective Tony Wells (retired) -- Post 15, Columbia
• Sgt. Rob Winsett (retired) – Post 15, Columbia

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

• Trooper Kyle J. Nall --Post 1-Mayfield
• Trooper Derek A. Smith--Post 2-Madisonville
• Trooper Charles D. White --Post 3-Bowling Green
• Detective Karl Scott McMichael--Post 4-Elizabethtown
• Detective Dave E. Roberts--Post 5-Campbellsburg
• Detective Kevin D. Flick--Post 6-Dry Ridge
• Detective Chris Short--Post 7-Richmond
• Trooper Samuel M. Hunt--Post 8-Morehead
• Detective Benjamin C. Cramer--Post 9-Pikeville
• Trooper Jason S. Young--Post 10-Harlan
• Trooper Clyde A. Dingess.--Post 11-London
• Trooper Trevor P. Harris--Post 12-Frankfort
• Detective Clayton Stamper, Jr.--Post 13-Hazard
• Detective Phillip A. Clark, II--Post 14-Ashland
• Trooper Andy K. Olson--Post 15-Columbia
• Trooper Thomas M. Hampton, Jr.--Post 16-Henderson
• Trooper First Class Chad E. Carroll--Special Operations
• Trooper Anthony Janutolo--East Drug Enforcement
• Detective Tommy L. Johnson--West Drug Enforcement
• Trooper Mack Rayburn--Administrative Division
• Trooper First Class Craig Sutton--Technical Services Division

Seven CVE officers were named Officer of the Year at the region level. They include:

• CVE Officer I Steven Chris Glenn --Region 1
• CVE Officer I Roy M. Murley --Region 2
• CVE Officer I Michael M. Rittenhouse --Region 3
• CVE Officer I Travis J. Rogers --Region 4
• CVE Officer I Larry Farris--Region 5
• CVE Officer I Anthony Bersaglia --Region 6
• CVE Officer I Delmer Hall --Programs Branch

The 2008 KSP Safe Driving Award, which recognizes the post with the highest average number of safe driving miles between assessable accidents, was presented to Post 10 in Harlan. The post had a record of 1,139,451 miles with zero assessable accidents.
      
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 Deputy Jim Hamilton, Carroll Co. Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Jim Guffey, Clinton Co. Sheriff’s Office.

KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer praised all of the honorees. “It is a natural reaction to run away from danger. Law enforcement officers are trained to run toward danger and they do so without hesitation,” he said. “We salute all those who have chosen a life that makes a difference.”

Blalock is a probation and parole officer in Murray who, within her first year of employment, created and launched the “Kentucky Probation & Parole Fugitives” MySpace Site. She has for the past year and a half devoted most of her time to the investigation and tracking of absconders online. Her investigations have resulted in the apprehension several offenders. She is frequently asked to give presentations on this method of investigation to federal and other state law enforcement officials.

Scott Ogden, Farm Manager I at Blackburn Correctional Complex, has been chosen the “Support Staff Member of the year” by the Southern States Corrections Association for 2008-2009.

Ogden has been an employee at Blackburn Correctional Complex for approximately five years. He received the award at the SSCA conference on July 21st.

In nominating Ogden, Blackburn warden Robert Howerton wrote:

“Scott Ogden is a farm manager who single handedly runs a Black Angus cattle operation of about 150 head. In the recent past, the state of Kentucky had one of the worst ice storms in its history. U.S. President Obama declared Kentucky a disaster area. With the facility out of power and 550 inmates to keep fed and very limited staff available, Scott came to work and assisted while his own home was without power.

The temperature was below 20 degrees for the three-day emergency. Scott volunteered to come in to work in the middle of the night on Day 2 to transfer fuel to our emergency generator. The next day he came back in and diagnosed our failing generator and fixed it until the company could come and do a full service on it.

Scott is a very dedicated employee. He cares about his cattle operation and goes well above and beyond the normal call of duty. Scott is every manager’s dream employee. He looks ahead for potential problems and heads them off before they become an issue.

This nomination is submitted with great pride and with great hopes that Mr. Ogden receives recognition for his outstanding dedication for this facility.”