Lt. Governor, Kentucky State Police Hold Awards Ceremony To Honor Civilian Employees
Employees recognized for their dedication to public safety in 2023
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 28, 2024) – Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) recently honored 15 civilian employees for their dedication to enhancing public safety. Awards presented include the 2023 Civilian of the Year, Career Achievement, Police Communications Support and Supervisor of the Year among others. KSP’s 800 civilian employees serve in a variety of roles from telecommunications, maintenance, driver testing, information technology, public relations and records support.
During the ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. recognized the important role civilian employees play in linking law enforcement to the public: “Our civilian counterparts are the backbone of this agency and a lifeline to our sworn personnel. The continued success of the state police is a direct result of their dedicated public service and commitment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything that you do.”
Commissioner Burnett presented the 2023 ‘KSP Civilian of the Year’ Award to Gary Thomas. Thomas is a 23-year veteran of the agency who serves as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst for the Intelligence Branch. Thomas provided tactical and strategic intelligence support during multiple KSP investigations, which led to the recovery of $5.2 million in cargo thefts. Thomas helped shut down an organized crime ring responsible for over $10 million dollars in thefts.
The Admin Services Award was presented to Emily Perkins. She serves as a Procedures Development Specialist II in the Strategic Planning Branch. Perkins is a fifteen-year veteran of the agency.
The Career Achievement Award was presented to Lou Ann Clayton. She serves as a Security Threat Assessment Program Coordinator at the Driver Testing Central Office in Frankfort. Clayton is a thirty-five-year veteran of the agency.
The Information Technology Award was presented to Shelvy Riffe. She serves as an Information Systems Supervisor in the Information Technology Branch. Riffe is a three-year veteran of the agency.
The Police Communications Award was presented to Jeffery “Alex” Jett. He serves as a Public Safety Telecommunication III at Post 12 Frankfort. Jett is a five-year veteran of the agency.
The Supervisor of the Year Award was presented to Shelly Job. She serves as a Public Safety Telecommunication Manager for Post at Post 12 Frankfort. Job is a twenty-seven-year veteran of the agency.
The Supply Properties Management Award was presented to Ricky Simpson. He serves as a Maintenance Worker II at Post 12 Frankfort. Simpson is a four-year veteran of the agency.
The 2023 KSP civilian employee award recipients include:
Admin Services Award
Emily Perkins, Procedures Development Specialist II, Headquarters Frankfort
Career Achievement Award
Lou Ann Clayton, Security Threat Assessment Program Coordinator, Driver Testing Central Office Frankfort
Commercial Vehicle Support Award
Ramona Lawson, Inspector II, CVE East Region
Drivers Testing Award
Ronald Pillow, Commercial Driver’s License Examiner, Post 3 Bowling Green
Forensic Services Support Award
Ashley Cook, Forensic Scientist Specialist II, Jefferson Regional Laboratory
Information Technology Award
Shelvy Riffe, Information Systems Supervisor, Information Technology Branch Frankfort
Police Communication Support Award
Gerald Browning, Public Safety Telecommunicator III, Post 10 Harlan
Alex Jett, Public Safety Telecommunicator III, Post 12 Frankfort
William Graham, Public Safety Telecommunicator III, Post 3 Bowling Green
Post Operations Support Award
Melissa Brock, Administrative Specialist III, Post 10 Harlan
Katie Wiggins, Administrative Specialist I, Post 1 Mayfield
Records Technical Support
Bridget Stone, CJIS Compliance Specialist III, LINK Audit Branch, Post 16 Henderson
Special Enforcement Support Award
Gary Thomas, Criminal Intelligence Analyst II, Intelligence Branch Lexington
Supervisor of the Year Award
Shelly Job, Public Safety Telecommunication Manager, Post 12 Frankfort
Supplies Properties Management
Ricky Simpson, Maintenance Worker II, Post 12 Frankfort
KSP is currently seeking Kentuckians with an ambition to serve to Commonwealth. More information on job specifics and applications can be found here.
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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