Gov. Beshear, Kentucky State Police Announce Command Staff Promotions
New leaders bring 68 years of combined experience to agency command staff
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky State Police (KSP) Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. announced the promotions of three sworn officers into leadership roles who will help lead the agency as it continues to build a safer New Kentucky Home for all its people.
“The promotion of these three Kentucky State Police heroes is a testament to the agency’s commitment to supporting its people while making sure all of our communities are safe,” Gov. Beshear said. “I look forward to seeing the good work these leaders will do on behalf of the agency to make this commonwealth a better, safer place for everyone who calls it home.”
Maj. Marshall Johnson was promoted to lieutenant colonel and will serve as director of the Division of Administrative Services. Capt. Alison Ramsey was promoted to major and will lead the Division of Management Services. Capt. Derek Smith was promoted to major and will serve over the Division of Operational Support. All three promotions became effective Sept. 1, 2026.
“These three individuals bring a combined 68 years of experience to the Kentucky State Police, providing a tremendous depth of knowledge and expertise that will benefit our agency for years to come,” Commissioner Burnett said. “We are proud to have them serve on the executive command staff and look forward to the leadership experience they will bring as we continue building a strong future for the agency.”
Lt. Col. Marshall Johnson is a 28-year veteran of the agency and graduated from the KSP Academy in 1998. As a trooper, he served at the Dry Ridge, Frankfort and Hazard posts. Johnson was promoted to sergeant in 2004 and served at the Dry Ridge Post before transferring to the Human Resources Branch. Johnson later returned to the Frankfort Post before being promoted to lieutenant and being transferred to the Henderson Post in 2009. He also served at the Campbellsburg Post and the Supply Branch while holding this rank. Johnson was later promoted to captain in 2017 and was transferred to the Driver’s Testing Branch. In 2023, Johnson was promoted to major and assigned to the Office of Administrative Services.
“As a second-generation trooper, I consider it an honor and privilege to serve in this capacity,” Lt. Col. Johnson said. “I am deeply committed to supporting our agency and its remarkable team as we strive to be the very best in service, professionalism and dedication.
Maj. Alison Ramsey is a 19-year veteran of the agency and graduated from the KSP Academy in 2008. Ramsey was promoted to sergeant and served as the Security Branch Commander in 2022. She was promoted to lieutenant a year later. In 2025, she was promoted to captain and became commander of the Financial Grants Management Branch.
“I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and look forward to building on our agency’s strengths and working together to achieve new levels of excellence,” Maj. Ramsey said. “Our commitment to serving the people of Kentucky remains at the forefront of everything we do, and I am excited about what we can accomplish.”
Maj. Derek Smith is a 21-year veteran of the agency and a 2005 graduate of the KSP Academy. He was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and served at the Madisonville, Mayfield and Campbellsburg posts before being promoted to lieutenant in 2017. As a lieutenant, Smith served at the Madisonville Post until 2020, when he was promoted to post captain.
“I am truly honored to step into this new role and eager to build upon the strong foundation that has been established,” Maj. Smith said. “It is a privilege to serve alongside the dedicated men and women who make our agency exceptional, and I look forward to contributing to our continued success.”
The mission of KSP is to promote public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, and safeguard property and protect individual rights.
To learn more about becoming a KSP trooper, visit the agency’s website.
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 2025 Crime in Kentucky Report, released in June, shows that, from 2024 to 2025, reports of serious crime decreased by 8.14%.
For four straight years, overdose deaths have decreased in Kentucky. In 2025, the commonwealth saw 22.9% fewer overdose deaths than the year prior.
Since Gov. Beshear took office, fewer Kentuckians have returned to prison after their release. For two years in a row, recidivism rates in the commonwealth have decreased, meaning that nearly 70% of those released from state custody have not returned.
For more information about the work the Beshear-Coleman administration has done since taking office to build a safer New Kentucky Home, click here.
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Lt. Col. Marshall Johnson
Maj. Alison Ramsey
Maj. Derek Smith