31 New Law Enforcement Officers Ready To Protect Their Communities

Graduates complete more than 800 hours of training to strengthen the safety of the commonwealth’s citizens

RICHMOND, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 31 law enforcement officers from agencies across the state have graduated the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s (DOCJT) basic training academy. These law enforcement officers will now serve and protect the commonwealth to create safer communities.

“Your commitment and determination to serve the commonwealth is honorable, and we are grateful that 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 healthy 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 543 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 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 possible resources at their disposal.

Today’s 31 graduating law enforcement officers are now ready to wear the badge of honor along with the other 1,260 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 31 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 of making each of Kentucky’s communities safer.

Class 543 graduates and their agencies are:

Tatum E. Abercrombie, Covington Police Department

Alec L. Anderson-Neff, Georgetown Police Department

Cody L. Axton, Hawesville Police Department

Elijah J. Banks, Wolfe County Sheriff’s Office

Hunter D. Beckley, Simpsonville Police Department

Rori J. Brinkman, Georgetown Police Department

Jacob L. Brown, Kenton County Police Department

Troy W. Brown, Henderson Police Department

Jesse W. Bufford, Hopkinsville Police Department

Zachary K. Chesnut, Barbourville Police Department

James E. Dean, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

Malik S. Dow, Harrodsburg Police Department

David B. Gibbs, Manchester Police Department

Brandon L. Grayson, Russellville Police Department

Trevin A. Green, Fulton Police Department

Melvin E. Hughes, Jefferson County Schools Police Department

Ethan G. Hulburt, Dawson Springs Police Department

Nicholas C. Jarboe, Lewisport Police Department

Dylan R. Jewell, Hickman County Sheriff’s Office

Cody E. Marcum, Middlesboro Police Department

Tommy D. McGehee, Spencer County Sheriff’s Office

Cyruss V. McVey, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office

Samantha L. Meredith, Covington Police Department

Cody D. Miller, Boone County Sheriff’s Office

Chase D. Mullins, Perry County Sheriff’s Office

Christopher A. Mullins, Campbell County Police Department

Matthew T. Quimby, Hickman Police Department

Joseph J. Richer, Covington Police Department

Jeremy A. Staples, Munfordville Police Department

Nicholas E. Wallace, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office

Ethan L. Woodrow, Georgetown Police Department

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

In July, 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 Office. Members of the Cash family, as well as state and local officials and staff from the Department of Criminal Justice Training, 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.

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, the administration awarded $2.1 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.

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.