28 new law enforcement officers ready to protect their communities, two from Knox

Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 28 law enforcement officers from agencies across the state have graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy. These law enforcement officers now return home to serve and protect the commonwealth and create safer communities.

“Your commitment and determination to serve the commonwealth is honorable, and every Kentuckian is grateful you have chosen this selfless profession,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are excited to see the good things you will do in your communities and pray for a safe and gratifying career for each of you.”

DOCJT is committed to providing officers with best practices, the latest technology training and legal information to protect the diverse communities they serve. The graduates of Class 549 received more than 800 hours of recruit-level instruction over 20 weeks. Major training areas include patrol procedures, physical training, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, criminal law, traffic and DUI, firearms, criminal investigations, cultural awareness, bias-related crimes and tactical responses to crisis situations.

The everchanging nature of public safety and protection requires DOCJT to remain on the cutting edge of law enforcement training practices. This includes providing officers and recruits with the latest technology training and legal information available to protect the diverse communities they serve. Advancements in training, facilities and instruction are made often, allowing DOCJT trainers and trainees to have the most resources at their disposal.

Today’s 28 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge along with the other 1,495 Kentuckians who have completed their basic training since December 2019. They will work together to create a commonwealth that is safer for all Kentuckians now and into the future.

“Today you leave this academy and have earned more than the honor of carrying a badge,” DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek said. “You now carry with you the responsibility of serving with honor, integrity, fairness and transparency. Take this responsibility to heart and the people you protect will see how much you care.”

The Beshear-Coleman administration is proud to welcome the 28 new law enforcement officers into the partnership of public safety. Along with all those currently serving in law enforcement, graduates will play key roles in the ongoing effort to make each of Kentucky’s communities safer.

Class 549 graduates and their agencies are:

William D. Aubrey, Shively Police Department

Tyler K. Ball, Boyd County Sheriff’s Office

Jace A. Baxter, Christian County Sheriff’s Office

Hanna G. Boyd-Hughes, Florence Police Department

James A. Branham, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office

Blake J. Cuthbert, Alexandria Police Department

Matthew S. Daily, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

David C. Ecklar, Williamstown Police Department

Trenton D. Hendricks, Bardstown Police Department

Micah P. Janes, Glasgow Police Department

Kevin Jimenez-Soriano, Nicholasville Police Department

Gary J. Jones, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

John B. Justice, University of Kentucky Police Department

Dylan W. Lewis, Knox County Sheriff’s Office

Thomas E. Martin, Knox County Sheriff’s Office

Jaryd C. Masters, Menifee County Sheriff’s Office

George A. Maulden, Barren County Sheriff’s Office

Nathan L. O’Daniel, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

Brendan O’Sullivan, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

Storm D. Painter, Campbell County Police Department

Edward Rainey, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

Evan S. Reynolds, University of Kentucky Police Department

Erik T. Schnitzler, Campbell County Police Department

Morgan P. Smith, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office

Jeffrey T. Stringer, Central City Police Department

James D. Vickery, Glasgow Police Department

Brian D. Whitmer, University of Kentucky Police Department

Brian C. Wylie, Shively Police Department

DOCJT provides basic training for city and county police officers, sheriffs’ deputies, university police and airport police throughout the state, only excluding the Louisville Metro Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Bowling Green Police Department and the Kentucky State Police, each of which have independent academies.

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.

In December 2023, the Governor proposed a $500 increase to the law enforcement annual training stipend, but the General Assembly chose to provide a combined $262 increase over the next two years. The budget signed by the Governor raises the training stipend to an all-time high of $4,562 by fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the Governor is providing part-time law enforcement officers an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.

Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded more than $10 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in purchasing the tools and resources that will not only allow them to protect Kentucky communities but will also ensure their safety as they stand on the front lines every day. In August 2023, the administration awarded $2.1 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.

In July 2023, Gov. Beshear broke ground in Richmond on a new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff’s Department. Members of the Cash family, as well as state and local officials and staff from the DOCJT, joined the Governor in taking a step forward to enhance the safety of Kentucky’s nearly 8,000 peace officers who risk their lives every day to protect Kentucky families.

In June 2022, Gov. Beshear announced the Military to Law Enforcement Program (M-2-LE). M-2-LE allows local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky to hire active service members within all U.S. military branches during their last 180 days of service. Upon being contracted by a law enforcement agency, the military member will continue to receive their pay and benefits from the U.S. Military while they undergo law enforcement training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training.