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News Release

Kentucky State Police Announces Civilian Employee Of The Year

Date of News Release: 10/08/2009

(Frankfort, Ky.) -- Twenty-five civilian employees were honored by the Kentucky State Police at a ceremony held today at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.

Hanson, Ky. resident Mary Eastwood was named 2009 KSP Civilian Employee of the Year. A 16-year veteran of the agency, Eastwood is an Administrative Specialist III at KSP Post 2 in Madisonville.

Eastwood received the award for her actions during a devastating ice storm that moved through western Kentucky on Jan. 27, 2009 and crippled critical infrastructure. All personnel assigned to Post 2 lost power and water at their residences. All restaurants and supply stores in the area were also closed. Post 2 was working off generator power and had lost water service.

"During this time of great uncertainty, Mary stepped up and went well beyond the call of duty," says Capt. William Marks, commander of KSP Post 2. "Within hours, she had arranged for her husband to deliver a water cell full of hundreds of gallons of water to the post. She then drove south, out of the storm's path, to find an open store where she purchased food and cooking utensils and returned to the post. For the remainder of the storm, she slept on the floor at the post to ensure that each trooper had at least two hot meals a day during the remainder of the storm emergency."

"Mrs. Eastwood's commitment to the mission of the Kentucky State Police is unsurpassed," said KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer. "Her exemplary service brings great credit to the agency, Post 2 and herself."

Other KSP civilian employees who received awards included:

Police Communications Support Award

Martha Clark, Post 2-Madisonville
Rebecca Templeton, Post 12-Frankfort
Jeff Knipp, Post 14-Ashland
Bridget Stone, Post 16-Henderson

Clerical Support Service Award

Sarah Emmons, KSP Academy Branch, Frankfort
Susan Gardner, Administrative Division, Frankfort
Heather Hibbitts, Vehicle Investigations, Lexington
Mary Eastwood, Post 2-Madisonville

Driver Testing Administrative Support Award

West Region: Wynne Russell, Louisville
East Region: Mike Adams, Morehead

Forensic Services Support Award

Laboratory Analyst: Melissa Brown, Central Laboratory Branch, Frankfort
Regional Laboratory Analyst: Megan Aiken, Northern Laboratory Branch, Cold Springs
Forensic Laboratory Supervisor: Beverly Wagoner, Southeast Laboratory Branch, London

Commercial Vehicle Support Award

Brenda Calhoun, CVE Region 1, Lyon Co. Weigh Station

Administrative Support Service Award

Sherry Fitzgerald, Driver Testing Branch, Frankfort
Pat Weick, KSP Supply Branch, Frankfort
Carl "Tom" Koon, Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations West, Bowling Green
Donna Owens, KSP Recruitment Branch, Frankfort

Administrative Support Supervisor Award

Stacy Woodrum, Financial/Grants Management Branch, Frankfort

Scientific Support Service Award

Hollie Freeman, AFIS, Criminal Identification & Records Branch, Frankfort

Computer Technology Technical Support Award

Adam Columbia, Communications and Computer Technologies Branch, Frankfort

Records Technical Support Service Award

Graham Gray, Criminal Identification and Records Branch, Frankfort

Maintenance Support Service Award

David Newhouse, KSP Post 1-Mayfield

Communications Technical Support Award

Curt Donahoo, Communication & Computer Technologies Branch, Post 16-Henderson

Properties Management & Supply Technical Support Service Award

Jim Harrod, KSP Supply Branch, Frankfort

"Our civilian employees play essential roles in our mission of protecting the citizens of Kentucky," said Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer. "Without their daily efforts, troopers in the field would have a much more difficult job. They provide professional support that makes the whole agency shine."

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