Post 4 Troopers Honored at Kentucky State Police Sworn Award Ceremony

Elizabethtown, KY. (September 30, 2021) – Today, Kentucky State Police (KSP) held the annual sworn awards ceremony in Lexington to honor 55 troopers and officers who put on a uniform each day to patrol Kentucky’s neighborhoods with a mission of serving and protecting their fellow citizens. The achievement awards presented were for acts of service that occurred during 2020.

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. spoke during the ceremony thanking troopers and officers for going beyond their regular job duties to protect and serve the citizens of the commonwealth.

“Our troopers and officers put themselves in harm’s way every day, but these acts of heroism and service stand above the normal call of duty,” said Burnett. “Each of these recipients has demonstrated both bravery and self-sacrifice in protecting the citizens of the commonwealth.”

Three troopers from the Post 4 area were included in those honors.

Trooper James Wright was named 2020 Post 4 Trooper of the Year and received a Lifesaving Medal, which is awarded to officers who perform life-saving acts under extraordinary circumstances. Trooper Wright is a 3-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 4 Elizabethtown.

Detective Michael Cook was named 2020 Post 4 Detective of the Year. Detective Cook is a 20-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 4 Elizabethtown.

Trooper Scotty Sharp was named 2020 Public Affairs Officer of the Year. Trooper Sharp is an 11-year veteran of KSP assigned to Post 4 Elizabethtown.

Post 4 Commander Daniel White said he is proud of the commitment and efforts of these units.

“While I’m very proud of all our troopers from Post 4, these 3 men have excelled and gone above and beyond their “normal” duties,” said White. “They each highlight what every officer should strive to be, and I admire their achievements. They are very deserving of their awards.”

A complete listing of award recipients can be found here.

KSP’s focus is to maintain and strengthen its essential workforce in order to better provide public safety, maintain critical services and better reflect the diverse communities that KSP serves.

For more information about KSP’s commitment of 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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