Kentucky Honors Law Enforcement and Safety Personnel for Lifesaving Efforts on Roadways
By Michael R. Grigsby, Editor | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate
Image Courtesy of Kentucky State Police (C) All Rights Reserved
FRANKFORT, Ky. (SPA) – Nearly 100 state and local law enforcement officers, along with child passenger safety specialists, were honored today for their exceptional efforts to protect drivers and passengers on Kentucky highways.
The annual Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards, held in Lexington, recognized individuals from across the Commonwealth who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to enforcing seat belt and child restraint laws.
The Importance of Seat Belts and Child Safety Enforcement
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 2023a), seat belts remain one of the most effective safety measures available. When used properly, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 45% for front-seat occupants in passenger cars and by 60% in pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Similarly, properly installed child restraints lower the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars. In light trucks, SUVs, and minivans, the risk reduction is 58% for infants and 59% for toddlers (NHTSA, 2023b).
Despite these proven benefits, challenges remain. In Kentucky, 86.9% of drivers and passengers buckle up, yet more than half of all annual highway fatalities involve unbelted occupants.
Trooper Vanhook Image Courtesy of Kentucky State Police
Recognizing Kentucky’s Finest
One of the top honorees was Kentucky State Police (KSP) Senior Trooper Justin Vanhook of Post 11 in London, who led the state in occupant protection enforcement.
“Trooper Vanhook does an amazing job and is a huge asset to Post 11,” officials said in a statement. “He is the kind of trooper who goes above and beyond the call of duty, and we are blessed to have him serving our community.”
Gov. Andy Beshear praised the award recipients, emphasizing the importance of their work in reducing preventable tragedies.
“It’s an honor to recognize our child passenger safety experts and law enforcement professionals committed to saving lives every day,” Beshear said. “They are making a big difference by ensuring Kentuckians of all ages are properly secured with seat belts, car seats, or booster seats.” ---Governor Andy Beshear
Awards and Divisions
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) presented awards to officers with the highest number of occupant protection citations between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Each recipient received a plaque, while top division winners were awarded the Highway Safety All-Star Award, represented by a commemorative Louisville Slugger baseball bat.
Awards were distributed across six divisions based on agency size, as well as a division specifically for the Kentucky State Police:
- Division I: 1–10 officers
- Division II: 11–25 officers
- Division III: 26–50 officers
- Division IV: 51–100 officers
- Division V: 100+ officers
- Division VI: Kentucky State Police
In addition to recognizing law enforcement, KOHS also presented honors for Technician of the Year, Instructor of the Year, and Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Team of the Year.
Commitment to Protecting Communities
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray commended the honorees for their dedication and professionalism.
“The work you do for the state is critical to protecting Kentuckians, especially our most vulnerable citizens who depend on an adult to keep them safe with every ride,” Gray said. “We appreciate your dedication, professionalism, and heart to save lives.”
As Kentucky continues to prioritize highway safety, today’s recognition highlights the vital role of officers, technicians, and safety advocates who are on the front lines of saving lives—one seat belt and child safety seat at a time.
Sources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2023a). Traffic safety facts: Seat belt use in 2023—Use rates in the states and territories (Report No. DOT HS 813 543). U.S. Department of Transportation. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2023b). Traffic safety facts: Child restraint use in 2023 (Report No. DOT HS 813 544). U.S. Department of Transportation. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov
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