KSP held its annual memorial service to honor 37 fallen troopers, highway patrolmen, and one canine unit. Before the service, KSP Command Staff welcomed the families of our fallen officers to brunch.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Burnett announced that an additional unit is being added to KSP’s memorial this year. Research conducted by the agency uncovered a KSP German Shepherd canine named Orofino was shot and killed on Sept. 23, 1991, during a surveillance operation in Breathitt County. Orofino was a 4-year veteran at the time of his passing. KSP’s Canine Branch, which includes 20 troopers and 25 canines, designed a memorial bench for Orofino and unveiled it during the memorial ceremony. The Kentucky State Police Professional Association provided funding for the bench to be located at KSP Training Academy.
The six Kentucky Highway Patrolmen who have died in the line of duty, including their end-of-watch date, are: Patrolman James P. Hays: Dec. 21, 1935; Patrolman Robert Rowland: Dec. 22, 1935; Capt. 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 date, 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; Lt. 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; Sgt. David R. Gibbs: Aug. 7, 2015; and Trooper J. Cameron Ponder: Sept. 13, 2015