Lt. Gov. Coleman, Kentucky State Police Enhance Public Safety With Promotion of 64 Troopers and Officers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2025) – Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Kentucky State Police (KSP) Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. recognized 64 troopers and officers who have been promoted into leadership roles, including two majors, 11 captains, 20 lieutenants and 31 sergeants dedicated to creating a New Kentucky through protection and service.

“These troopers and officers embody what it means to serve with courage, compassion and integrity,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “Their leadership strengthens not only the Kentucky State Police but all the commonwealth’s 120 counties. Team Kentucky is grateful for their continued commitment to public service.”

Commissioner Burnett commended the group for their professionalism and perseverance, reminding them that true leadership is measured by the example they set: “Leadership isn’t defined by rank but by responsibility. It means guiding others with integrity and ensuring that those you lead have the support to succeed. I’m confident each of you will uphold the proud tradition of service that defines the Kentucky State Police.”

The newly promoted troopers and officers are:

Major

Capt. David Archer was promoted to major and is assigned to the Division of West Troops.
Capt. Timothy ‘Brad’ Austin was promoted to major and is assigned to the Division of Special Enforcement.

Captain

Lt. Jason Brown was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Inspections and Evaluation Branch.
Lt. Alfred Bunch was promoted to captain and is assigned to Post 9, Pikeville.
Lt. Tye Chavies was promoted to captain and is assigned to Drug Enforcement Special Investigations (DESI) East.
Lt. Brian Duvall was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Security Branch.
Lt. Morris Farris was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Internal Affairs Branch.
Lt. Dallas Greer was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Special Operations Branch.
Lt. John Hindman was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Western Laboratory Branch.
Lt. Robert Purdy was promoted to captain and is assigned to Post 11, London.
Lt. Alison Ramsey was promoted to captain and is assigned to Financial Grants Management.
Lt. Brad Riley was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Critical Incident Response Team.
Lt. Justin Sams was promoted to captain and is assigned to the Intelligence Branch.

Lieutenant

Sgt. Jason Adkison was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 5, Campbellsburg.
Sgt. Kalin Caudill was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement East Region.
Sgt. Joseph Dials was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 8, Morehead.
Sgt. David Dick was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 1, Mayfield.
Sgt. Eric Gibson was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 14, Ashland.
Sgt. Jeremy Giles was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 9, Pikeville.
Sgt. Wendell Higginbotham was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.
Sgt. Bobby King was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 8, Morehead.
Sgt. James Moore was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Critical Incident Response Team.
Sgt. Jason Morris was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Central Region.
Sgt. Jonathan Murphy was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 2, Madisonville.
Sgt. Gregory Newman was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Special Operations Branch.
Sgt. Forest Newsome Jr. was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Northern Laboratory Branch.
Sgt. Jason Partin was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 10, Harlan.
Sgt. Glenn Perry was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to the Drivers Testing Branch.
Sgt. Randall Riley was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 13, Hazard.
Sgt. Justin Rundles was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 2, Madisonville.
Sgt. Levi Scott was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 4, Elizabethtown.
Sgt. Steve Smallwood was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 11, London.
Sgt. Joshua Wilson was promoted to lieutenant and is assigned to Post 11, London.

Sergeant

Tpr. Brandon Boggs was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 12, Frankfort.
Tpr. Richard Carroll was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Critical Incident Response Team.
Tpr. Justin Cornett was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 2, Madisonville.
Tpr. Steven Davidson II was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 7, Richmond.
Tpr. Richard Ellis was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 3, Bowling Green.
Tpr. Jonathan Hall was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Internal Affairs Branch.
Tpr. Kennith Hamilton was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 14, Ashland.
Tpr. Robert Hartley was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Academy Branch.
Tpr. Vincent Hazelwood was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.
Tpr. Aaron Jestes was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 1, Mayfield.
Tpr. Ashcon Karbasi was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 3, Bowling Green.
Tpr. Michael Keeton was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to DESI East.
Tpr. Jack Lakes was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Critical Incident Response Team.
Tpr. Mahala Lewis was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 11, London.
Tpr. Tyler Lynch was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 4, Elizabethtown.
Tpr. James Martin was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 2, Madisonville.
Tpr. Colbert Maynard was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 10, Harlan.
Tpr. Courtney Milam was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Academy Branch.
Tpr. Phillip Montgomery was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 7, Richmond.
Tpr. Jeremy Moore was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 7, Richmond.
Tpr. Shakori Needham was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 11, London.
Tpr. Ridge Porter was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 16, Henderson.
Tpr. James Rowland was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 14, Ashland.
Tpr. Clifton Royal was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Executive Security Branch.
Tpr. Graham Rutherford was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 3, Bowling Green.
Tpr. Joshua Satterly was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.
Tpr. Jamie Smith was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Academy Branch.
Tpr. William Spears Jr. was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Academy Branch.
Tpr. Derek Welch was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to the Special Operations Branch.
Tpr. Stuart Wiser was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 5, Campbellsburg.
Tpr. David Zimmerman was promoted to sergeant and is assigned to Post 6, Dry Ridge.

KSP is looking to recruit the next generation of law enforcement leaders. Individuals interested in a career of service, leadership and honor are encouraged to apply today at JoinKSP.com.

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.

Recently, 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.

Protecting the commonwealth’s schools are a top priority of Team Kentucky. In August, the Governor announced that 1,315 Kentucky public schools are following statutory safety requirements required by the School Safety and Resiliency Act and that the number of school resource officers protecting schools has increased more than 100% since he took office.

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.

Since Gov. Beshear took office, fewer Kentuckians have returned to prison after their release. In February, it was announced that nearly 70% of those released from state custody have not returned.

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.

For three straight years, overdose deaths have decreased in Kentucky. In 2024, the commonwealth saw 30.2% fewer overdose deaths than the year prior.

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.

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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