KSP Post 1 recognizes promotions at ceremony

Hickory, KY (November 8, 2018) – The Kentucky State Police recognized the promotion of 77 agency officers at a ceremony held Oct. 26 in Lexington. Post 1 Lieutenant Dean Patterson was among those recognized.

KSP Commissioner Rick Sanders told the new promotees that in their new roles they have one of the toughest jobs around. They have to satisfy those above them while encouraging and energizing those who work for them.

“Great leaders are not born,” he said, “they are built. And the two most important attributes of leadership are concern for the welfare of those who work for you and leadership by example. You can’t get up and preach without walking the walk.”

Lieutenant Dean Patterson, a 14 year veteran, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and transferred from the Drug Enforcement / Special Investigations (DESI) to Mayfield, Post 1 on September 1, 2018 as the Investigative Lieutenant.    He is a resident of Graves County and graduated from Graves County High School and Paducah Community College.  Lieutenant Patterson worked for KSP as a tele-communicator from 2001 to 2004.  He graduated from the KSP Academy in 2004 graduating class 82 and was assigned to Post 1 as a Trooper.  He also served post 1 as a Detective, and Public Affairs Officer. He also served post 1 as a Detective, and Public Affairs Officer.  He was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 and was transferred to Post 2 in Madisonville before returning to Post 1 where he served as the Detective Sergeant. His last assignment was with the Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations Branch (DESI) in Bowling Green, were served as a field supervisor.  He received the Citation for Meritorious Service for a two year drug investigation in 2017.  LT. Patterson is married to Kelly Patterson and they have one child, Bailey.

Post 1 Captain Jerry Handy was among those recognized.

Captain Jerry Handy, a 17 year veteran, promoted to the rank of Captain and transferred from Special Operations to Mayfield, Post 1 on September 16, 2018.  Captain Handy is a resident of Grant County and attended Owen County High School. He served as a Police Officer for the City of Owenton from 1997 to 1999. He then served as an Officer in the City of Dry Ridge before transferring to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office from 1999 to 2001. Captain Handy attended the KSP academy in 2001, graduating class 78 and was assigned to Post 6 as a Trooper. He also served Post 6 as the K-9 Handler. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and transferred to Driver’s Testing as supervisor. He promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to Dry Ridge, Post 6 as the Operations Lieutenant, in 2016 and later transferred to Special Operations. He has received the Trooper Medal for saving the life of a juvenile that had attempted suicide. CPT. Handy is married to Molly Handy and they have four children Ashton, Cale, Abram and Emersyn.

Post 1 Sergeant Eric Fields was among those recognized.

Sergeant Eric Fields, an 11 year veteran, promoted to the rank of Sergeant on September 1, 2018 and remained assigned to Mayfield, Post 1 as the east squad sergeant. He is a resident of Lyon County and graduated from Reidland High School and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He was a police officer with the Tennessee Valley Authority from 2001 to 2007.  Sergeant Fields graduated from the KSP Academy in 2008 graduating class 86 and was assigned to Post 1, where he served as a trooper and detective. He received the KSP Citation for Bravery in 2017 for an incident in Lyon County.  SGT Fields is married to Mandy Fields and they have three children, Isabella, Grace, and Allison.