7 Post 3-assigned troopers among graduates of Kentucky State Police training academy

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Thirty-seven troopers are ready to serve the Commonwealth, and you may see some of them soon right here in the local community.

On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Cadet Class 104, which has received more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study in multiple subjects, from weapons training to first said and more, has gradated from the Kentucky State Police training academy, according to the governor’s office.

“I ask everyone in the commonwealth to pray for the safety of our new brave heroes and their families,” Beshear said. “We owe all of them a debt of gratitude for their service, and my administration will continue to champion needed resources and equipment to protect them as they work to protect us.”

On Beshear’s behalf at the ceremony was Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith L. Jackson, welcoming the new troopers.

Cadet Class 104 graduates and their assigned posts are:

Post 1, MAYFIELD
Maxwell Dikin, Symsonia, Kentucky
Robert Green, Murray, Kentucky
Jacob Landis, Calvert City, Kentucky

Post 2, MADISONVILLE
Tyler Hancock, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Post 3, BOWLING GREEN
Isaiah Carter, Columbia, Kentucky
Cullen Cox, Somerset, Kentucky
Zackary Giles, Columbia, Kentucky
Wade Hughes, Morgantown, Kentucky
Emmanuel Johnson, Portland, Tennessee
Ryan Newman, East Brunswick, New Jersey
Landon Sharber, Louisville, Kentucky

Post 4, ELIZABETHTOWN
William Hendricks, Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Matthew Mann, Springfield, Kentucky

Post 5, CAMPBELLSBURG
Hannajo Bradbury, Sparta, Kentucky
JiShaun Branch, Chicago
Curtis Button, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Maxwell Elsbernd, Kenton, Kentucky

Post 6, DRY RIDGE
Ethan Brewer, London, Kentucky
Tanner Jones, Manchester, Kentucky
Matthew Pinson, Winchester, Kentucky

Post 7, RICHMOND
Mariano Cordova, Lancaster, Kentucky
Dawson Duff, Breathitt, Kentucky

Post 8, MOREHEAD
Adrian Hudson, Jackson, Kentucky
Darren Noble, Jackson, Kentucky
Tanner Tout, Owingsville, Kentucky

Post 10, HARLAN
Canon Calder, Somerset, Kentucky
Benjamin Meadows, Manchester, Kentucky
Joseph Messer, Corbin, Kentucky
Jacob Schwab, London, Kentucky
Judson Weaver, London, Kentucky

Post 12, FRANKFORT
Taylor Grider, Jamestown, Kentucky

Post 14, ASHLAND
Caleb Elmore, Leroy, Alabama
Stevie Hammond, Mount Sterling, Kentucky
John Holbrook, East Point, Kentucky
Jacob McDaniel, Morehead, Kentucky
Austin Stacy, Cannel City, Kentucky

Post 15, COLUMBIA
Codie Ford, Tompkinsville, Kentucky

Several members of the graduating class received special recognition. Trooper Cullen Cox received the Ernie Bivens Award, an honor presented to a cadet who, in the opinion of the KSP Academy and fellow cadets, shows distinction as a leader, strives for academic excellence and has excelled in all phases of the academy’s physical and vocational training.

The class Valedictorian Award, which includes a new 2023 police cruiser, was awarded to trooper Caleb Elmore. The Salutatorian was awarded to trooper Zachary Giles.

Trooper Robert Green received the Commissioner’s Commitment to Excellence Award. This is presented to the cadet who has demonstrated leadership, the desire to get the job done and is always determined to be the best every day.

Thirteen cadets earned their associate’s degree in General Occupational and Technical Studies from the Bluegrass Community and Technical College during their 24 weeks at the training academy. These cadets benefited from the new hiring guidelines established by the state legislature in 2017. Through this revision, anyone who possesses a high school diploma or GED, and has three years of full-time work experience can apply for employment as a trooper and earn an associate degree during the training process.

Cadet Class 104 graduates who earned an associate’s degree are:

JiShaun Branch, Chicago
Curtis Button, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Maxwell Dikin, Symsonia, Kentucky
Caleb Elmore, Leroy, Alabama
Maxwell Elsbernd, Kenton, Kentucky
Robert Green, Murray, Kentucky
Stevie Hammond, Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Emmanuel Johnson, Portland, Tennessee
Matthew Mann, Springfield, Kentucky
Benjamin Meadows, Manchester, Kentucky
Joseph Messer, Corbin, Kentucky
Jacob Schwab, London, Kentucky
Judson Weaver, London, Kentucky