Office of the Commissioner

Commissioner Phillip “PJ” Burnett, Jr. is a 28-year veteran of KSP and has served in numerous assignments, including post level uniformed and investigative operations, collision reconstructionist, field training officer, firearms instructor, post commander, operations east troop major, and administration division lieutenant colonel and executive director of the Office of Operations as Unit 1. On Nov. 4, 2020, he was promoted to colonel and acting commissioner
of the agency.

On April 9, 2021, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the appointment of Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. as commissioner of KSP.

Commissioner Burnett is a native of Bell County. He received his bachelor of science degree from Union College, and holds a teaching certification in secondary education. Burnett is also a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute Session #46. Since serving with KSP, he has received multiple awards including, Post Trooper of the Year, the Citation for Bravery, the Commissioner’s Award, and back-to-back Governor’s Awards for Impaired Driving Enforcement.
He currently resides in Pineville with his wife and two sons.

Command Staff

Michael Rogers

Lt. Colonel
Office of Operations

Larry Newton

Lt. Colonel
Office of Technical Services

Jeremy Hamm

Lt. Colonel
Office of Administrative Services

Chris Short

Major
Division of Special Enforcement

Matthew Johnson

Major
Division of West Troops

Eric Walker

Major
Division of East Troops

Bruce Button

Major
Division of Professional Support

David Trimble

Major
Division of Operational Support

Emily Horton

Major
Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

Todd Kidd

Major
Division of Electronic Services

Marshall Johnson

Major
Division of Executive Services

Brad Arterburn

Major
Division of Records Management

Shawna Kincer

Executive Advisor
Commissioner’s Office