Gov. Beshear, Kentucky State Police Pay Tribute To 37 Fallen State Officers

Annual ceremony held in conjunction with National Police Week, honoring those who lost their lives in the line of duty

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 23, 2024) – At the annual memorial ceremony today, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police paid tribute to the 37 state troopers, officers and highway patrolmen who lost their lives in service to the commonwealth.

Today’s ceremony was held in conjunction with National Police Week, which was commemorated nationwide last week, May 12-18, and was a special time for Kentucky to remember the brave law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of others.

“These 37 fallen heroes served with love. They set the highest of bars and the highest of standards for every trooper – past, present and future,” Gov. Beshear said. “Their sacrifice was the ultimate show of love, because they were willing to lose their lives so we could live ours. And we don’t just remember them today, but every day.”

Kentucky’s law enforcement memorial monument, located in Richmond, holds the names of 579 Kentuckians who have died in the line of duty since 1845, including the troopers, officers and highway patrolmen honored today.

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. addressed the family members of the fallen officers, recognizing the sacrifices their loved ones made and the debt of gratitude the commonwealth will continue to owe: “While we can’t bring your heroes back, we can ensure they are never forgotten. As family members, you sacrificed while they were serving and have continued to sacrifice every day since then. This agency is eternally grateful for their courage, honor and unwavering commitment.”

For five years, National Fallen Heroes Wreath Program Founder Michelle Pawlowski has provided a Christmas wreath during the holiday season for the gravesites of the 37 KSP fallen officers. For the first time, she attended the ceremony and was able to meet family members of those she has been honoring.

“I’ve had the opportunity to see photos from KSP’s holiday wreath-laying ceremonies, but being here today in person and spending time with the families brings the project full circle,” said Pawlowski. “Not only does it speak to the legacy of these troopers, but also for my brother-in-law, Officer John Pawlowski, who inspired this program.”

Philadelphia Police Officer John Pawlowski was killed in the line of duty on February 13, 2009, when responding to a robbery call.

The six Kentucky Highway Patrolmen who have died in the line of duty, including their end-of-watch dates, are:

Patrolman James P. Hays: Dec. 21, 1935;
Patrolman Robert Rowland: Dec. 22, 1935;
Vernon Snell: Feb. 20, 1937;
Patrolman Moses H. Littrell: March 14, 1938;
Patrolman Houston Greene: May 18, 1944; and
Patrolman Vadas G. Richardson: October 7, 1944

The 31 troopers and officers who have died in the line of duty, including their end-of-watch dates, are:

Trooper Harold J. Toll: Nov. 14, 1948;
Trooper Robert R. Miller: Feb. 14, 1951;
Trooper Lee T. Huffman: May 19, 1953;
Trooper Herbert C. Bush: Oct. 11, 1958;
Trooper William E. Tevis: May 26, 1963;
Trooper Elmer Mobley, Jr.: May 28, 1964;
Trooper Cecil W. Uzzle: May 28, 1964;
Trooper Delano G. Powell: July 8, 1965;
Trooper Mack E. Brady: Nov. 9, 1966;
Trooper William H. Barrett: Dec. 19, 1971;
Trooper James W. McNeely: April 8, 1972;
Officer David T. Childs: April 8, 1972;
Trooper Walter O. Thurtell: Sept. 29, 1972;
Trooper Joseph Ward, Jr.: April 23, 1973;
William C. Smith: April 26, 1973;
Trooper John W. Hutchinson: June 4, 1975;
Trooper Bobby A. McCoun Jr.: Sept. 1, 1975;
Trooper William F. Pickard: Jan. 21, 1976;
Lieutenant Willis D. Martin: April 26, 1977;
Trooper Clinton E. Cunningham: Feb. 11, 1979;
Trooper Edward R. Harris: Nov. 7, 1979;
Trooper Jerome S. Clifton: Oct. 1, 1980;
Detective Darrell V. Phelps: Aug. 7, 1981;
Trooper Johnny M. Edrington: Dec. 20, 1988;
Trooper Johnny G. Adkins: Nov. 19, 1995;
Officer Jason W. Cammack: April 23, 2000;
Trooper Jonathan K. Leonard: Dec. 19, 2006;
Trooper Anson B. Tribby: Jan. 22, 2013;
Trooper Eric K. Chrisman: June 23, 2015;
David R. Gibbs: Aug. 7, 2015; and
Trooper J. Cameron Ponder: Sept. 13, 2015

The fallen Trooper and Officer Memorial is on the KSP webpage at https://kentuckystatepolice.org/fallenmemorial/.

The Beshear-Coleman administration believes every single Kentuckian has the right to feel safe in their community, workplaces and schools, and the Governor has taken steps to increase public safety. In the last two years, his administration has secured a historic more than $18,000 pay increase for Kentucky State Police troopers and officers. Due to these increases and the tireless efforts from the KSP recruitment branch, more than 1,000 sworn personnel are now wearing the badge of honor, the highest number since 2017.

Gov. Beshear has also supported training for local law enforcement officers by raising the current training stipend to an all-time high, and the state supported the construction of a new training facility in Richmond.

Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded nearly $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.

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