Kentucky State Police trooper faces DUI charge weeks after being named Post 3 Trooper of the Year

A Kentucky State Police trooper who was recently recognized as the 2025 Post 3 Trooper of the Year is now facing a DUI charge, according to WLKY. The report says the charge comes roughly two weeks after the trooper’s award recognition, raising questions about how the department’s public honors align with pending criminal allegations.

The trooper was named as the 2025 Trooper of the Year for KSP Post 3, a designation intended to recognize performance in the agency’s regional operations. WLKY reported that despite the award timing, the trooper has since been accused of driving under the influence and is facing the charge through the criminal justice process.

WLKY’s reporting centers on the timeline between the award announcement and the DUI allegation. The article notes that the recognition occurred very shortly before the trooper was placed in a posture of responding to a criminal charge, a sequence that can affect public confidence in law enforcement and the transparency of agency accountability measures.

Under Kentucky law, DUI cases proceed through the courts, where officers are treated as defendants and are entitled to due process. The charge itself, including the specific circumstances and any evidence cited by prosecutors, would be determined as the case moves forward through filing, arraignment, hearings, and trial or resolution.

For Kentucky State Police, the matter also intersects with internal handling of officers while criminal allegations are pending. The department typically addresses employment status, assignments, and administrative steps through its policies, but the WLKY report focuses on the DUI charge and the award timing rather than detailing specific employment outcomes.

The next steps in the case depend on what the prosecution files in court and how the matter is scheduled. Any changes to the officer’s status within KSP, as well as whether the department issues an accompanying statement beyond the recognition that already occurred, would be expected to follow developments in the criminal case.