A Kentucky State Police Post 4 trooper and detective, both of whom live in Grayson County, have been honored with awards from the agency.
On Thursday, 55 KPS troopers, officers and detectives were recognized for their outstanding service to the agency and the residents of the commonwealth with awards for troopers and detectives of the year, as well as citations for bravery.
Post 4 Elizabethtown award winners were:
- Selected as Post 4 Detective of the Year was Det. Casey Keown, a seven-year veteran with Kentucky State Police. He grew up in Grayson County and continues to call the county home. Keown is also the force behind the push for a new skate park in Leitchfield.
- Post 4 Sgt. Blake Owens received a Citation for Bravery. Owens is a Frankfort native but has lived in Grayson County for several years. In 2019, he was selected as Post 16 Trooper of the Year. Owens additionally won the 2016 DUI Award for Post 16.
- The Post 4 Trooper of the Year is Chase Shouse, originally from Berea. Shouse has been with KSP for two years.
“Every day … Kentucky State Police recommits themselves to making our state a national leader in public safety,” Gov. Andy Beshear at the presentation ceremony. “I am thankful for the sacrifices they have made as they respond to critical emergencies, remove illegal drugs off our streets, protect our children from online predators, save victims from human trafficking and help our Kentuckians in their greatest time of need. We are creating a new Kentucky home, and it is thanks to KSP’s service and protection of all.”
During the ceremony, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson and KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. commended the agency’s troopers and officers for going above and beyond.
“I am thankful to serve alongside you in the quest to make our streets safer and our commonwealth more secure,” Jackson said. “Your tireless efforts have reduced overdose deaths, created safer schools, secured our highways, located dangerous individuals who wish harm on our communities and held up our fellow Kentuckians in their darkest hour. Thank you for never giving up, thank you for showing up every day to do it all over again and thank you for loving your neighbor so much that you have chosen to stand between danger so that Kentucky is safer.”
(Photo l-r: KSP Sgt. Blake Owens, Det. Casey Keown)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
