Gov. Beshear, Lt. Gov. Coleman, Kentucky State Police Honor 4 Heroes for Saving Trooper’s Life After Being Shot
KSP releases body camera footage from July 13 incident, showcasing the heroic acts of these civilians
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) recognized four Kentuckians, whose quick actions helped save the life of Trooper Jude Remilien, who was shot in the line of duty on July 13 outside of Blue Grass Airport while responding to a call for service.
Jimmy Alexander, Jessica Alexander, Taylor Hall and Adam Arnold were presented with a Citation for Meritorious Achievement, the highest honor KSP can award a civilian or non-KSP employee, for their heroic acts of service when they rendered aid to Trooper Remilien and called for emergency services. The body-worn-camera footage from the incident was released by KSP and is part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to transparency and public trust.
“We are thankful Trooper Remilien is recovering well and is here with us today,” Gov. Beshear said. “You exemplify law enforcement’s commitment to giving your all for your community and your commonwealth, and your story of resilience is one that inspires so many, including me.”
“Today we honor Kentuckians who are heroes in every sense of the word,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “Your actions saved a life and renewed hope in humanity for many, and for that, all of Team Kentucky says thank you.”
“These individuals displayed the kind of courage and character that cannot be taught,” KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said. “They saw someone in need, and without a second thought, they acted. Because of them, Trooper Remilien is alive today.”
Today was the first time Trooper Remilien met the individuals who saved his life. “It’s so great to finally meet this team of heroes. They didn’t hesitate to come on scene and assist me. It’s an honor to stand next to you in-person today while you receive the Citation for Meritorious Achievement. All four of you will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
“We were arriving at the airport when we saw the incident happen,” Jimmy Alexander said. “We immediately ran to Trooper Remilien’s aid, when Jessica and Taylor, who are nurses, did what they knew to do until Officer Arnold arrived and provided assistance. We were all in the right place at the right time, and we are so thankful that he is okay.”
In addition, on July 24, Gov. Beshear named these four Kentuckians Team Kentucky All-Stars and commissioned them Kentucky Colonels, the highest honor awarded by the commonwealth.
The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The Governor’s public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky.
The 2024 Crime in Kentucky report, released in June, shows that from 2023 to 2024 there was an overall decrease of 7.66% in reports of serious crime.
Last month, Lt. Gov. Coleman joined KSP to break ground on a new, state-of-the-art Drivers’ Skills Pad at the agency’s 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.
In April, Gov. Andy 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’s law enforcement agencies.
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 with an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.
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.
For more information about KSP’s commitment to creating a better Kentucky by making the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure by providing exceptional law enforcement, click here.
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