KSP honors 15 employees with annual civilian awards
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Police held its annual civilian awards ceremony Tuesday, honoring 15 employees who excelled in public service and dedication to the agency in 2021.
Awards included the 2021 Civilian of the Year, Career Achievement, Police Communications Support, Supervisor of the Year and more.
Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear, attended the ceremony and presented awards to KSP personnel on behalf of the administration, according to a release by KSP.
“The governor and the rest of Team Kentucky realizes the importance of civilian employees at the Kentucky State Police,” said Adkins. “As you are often the driving force behind the scenes assisting troopers and officers in their roles, we as Kentuckians are indebted to you, and we thank you.”
KSP stated civilian employees serve in many different roles at KSP, from dispatch, maintenance, drivers testing, information technology, public relations and records support. All of these roles allow KSP troopers and officers to effectively do their jobs to protect Kentuckians and create safer communities, according to the release.
During the ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. recognized civilian employees are the link between KSP and the public. They make sure troopers are able to respond to situations with all the needed information, stated KSP.
“While you may not wear the uniform, you are just as important as anyone else who serves in this agency,” said Burnett, Jr. “As a veteran trooper, I can attest that my success is a direct result of your dedicated service and effort. You are the best of the best.”
Burnett and Adkins presented the 2021 ‘KSP Civilian of the Year’ Award to Hardin County resident Julie Ferguson.
Ferguson, a 17-year veteran of the agency, serves the commonwealth as the KSP Forensic Laboratory Supervisor at the Jefferson Lab in Louisville. KSP stated Ferguson’s peers nominated her due to her determination, work ethic and willingness to help others, making her a respected leader in the agency. In 2021, Ferguson also became interim supervisor at the Western Lab and assisted three other labs with their drug chemistry, blood alcohol and forensic biology.
“I am surprised but honored and so appreciative of the recognition,” said Ferguson. “Honestly, I couldn’t do it without the team we have in place. I love this job, even on the tough days.”
Additional 2021 KSP civilian employee awards presented include:
- Police Communications Support Award
Charles Stewart, Police Telecommunicator II, Post 4 Elizabethtown
Skyler Taylor, Police Telecommunicator II, Post 11 London
Kaitlyn Vancleve, Police Telecommunicator I, Post 6 Dry Ridge
- Post Operations Support Award
Kara Winkle, Administrative Specialist III, Post 12 Frankfort
Rebecca Eubanks, Administrative Specialist II, Post 11 London
- Supply/Properties Management Award
William Boyd, Maintenance Worker II, Headquarters Frankfort
- Drivers Testing Award
Jonathan Hart, Administrative Specialist II, Drivers Testing Branch Frankfort
- Forensic Services Support
Susan Vanlandingham, Forensic Scientist Specialist II, Northern Laboratory Cold Springs
- Information Technology Award
Carol Smith, Forensic Computer Examiner I, Electronic Crimes Branch Frankfort
- Records Technical Support Award
Brandon Warren, Administrative Specialist III, Criminal Identification & Records Branch Frankfort
- Commercial Vehicle Support Award
Justin Kilgore, Inspector II, East Region CVE
- Special Enforcement Support Award
Dacia Wood, Criminal Intelligence Analyst I, Post 4 Elizabethtown
- Administrative Services Award
Mary Kate Hourican, Administrative Specialist II, KSP Academy Frankfort
- Supervisor of the Year Award
Julie Ferguson, Forensic Laboratory Supervisor, Jefferson Lab Louisville
- Career Service Achievement Award
Lucille Marshall, Executive Staff Advisor, Office of the Commissioner
