History of the KPOA

 

Having been organized in 1935 and incorporated in 1941 as a non-profit corporation, the Kentucky Peace Officers' Association, Inc. (KPOA) is the Commonwealth's oldest professional organization for law enforcement officers. Full-time, sworn peace officers in Kentucky from all walks are eligible for active membership. Those who are employed full time as law enforcement administrators or instructors are eligible for active membership provided they have been sworn peace officers prior to becoming an administrator and/or instructor. Retired peace officers are also eligible for active membership.

Early in its history, the KPOA initiated the first organized training for peace officers at locations around the state. Classes were taught by qualified members at no charge to individuals, their departments or agencies. The association worked for many years for passage of mandated training for all sworn peace officers in the state and for the Sheriff's Succession Amendment, as well as being active in other legislative matters. The president of KPOA or his designee is a member of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (K.L.E.C.) as provided by Kentucky Revised Statute.

Throughout the years, the association has provided financial assistance to individual law enforcement officers in need of help due to catastrophic medical expenses not covered by other types of aid; was a major contributor to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, Inc.; supported programs to provide school children with educational training and prevention of drug abuse; provided assistance to the families of officers killed in the line of duty; was a sponsor of summer camps for underprivileged and high-risk children; supported the Kentucky Child Crime Victim's Trust Fund, the Century Shield Club, Inc., Kentucky Youth Assembly, Special Olympics, Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, advocacy programs for abused children, the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, and other worthy projects. Technical equipment has been contributed to individual agencies in Kentucky.

 

Past KPOA Presidents     (* denotes deceased)

1935-36 - Col. William E. Bryant* 1966-67 - Sgt. Pat Ryan* 1996-97 - Col. Daniel T. McEnroe

1936-37 - Col. Edward Callahan*

 1967-68 - Sheriff Joe Sharpe* 1997-98 - Col. Ruben L. Gardner

1937-38 - S.A.C. Orville Dewey*

 1968-69 - Maj. A.M.(Morris) Carter 1998-99 - Dept. Alvin C. Adams

1938-39 - Col. Charles Howard*

 1969-70 - Comm. W.O. Newman 1999-00 - Capt. Bill Breeden

1939-40 - Col. George Berry*

 1970-71 - Capt. Vic Senninger* 2000-01 - Sgt. Mark A. Moore
1940-41 - Col. Frank Cassell*

1971-72 - Capt. Bobby Gentry

 2001-02 - Lt. Col. Robert Sewalls
1941-42 - Col. Austin Price* 1972-73 - Col. Robert L. Sallee* 2002-03 - SAC James L. Brown

1942-43 - Col. A.E. Kimberling*

 1973-74 - Lt. Col. R. Richardson* 2003-04 - Jeanette Gardner
1943-44 - Col. Vernie Bidwell* 1974-75 - Col. Wayne Constant 2004-05 - Donald Bloodworth
1944-45 - Col. Al Schild* 1975-76 - Col. John Hiten* 2005-06 - Maj. A,M, (Andy) Carter
1945-46 - Col. Carl Heustis* 1976-77 - Cpt. James Thompson* 2006-07 - Lt. Alan Martin
1946-47 - Capt. Rollie Leach* 1977 - Col. Edwin Tucker* 2007-08 - Douglas W. Czor
1947-48 - Col. Vernie Bidwell* 1978 - Lt. James T. Bullard 2008-09 - ASAC Stephen J. Crush

1948-49 - Lt. Oscar Doerting*

 1978-79 - Lt. James T. Bullard 2009-10 - Officer Paul D. Stewart
1949-50 - Col. Al Schild* 1979-80 - Lt. James T. Bullard 2010-11 - Chief Jeff Sharpe
1950-51 - Col. Tom Clark* 1980-81 - Col. Wilbur Gasdorf  
1951-52 - Lt. Charles Young* 1981-82 - Cpt. L. A. Ridenhour  
1952-53 - Maj. Charles Sonner* 1982-83 - Col. Cottrell Curlin,  Jr.*  
1953-54 - Capt. Edward Beebe* 1983-84 - Capt. Jackie D. Braden  
1954-55 - Det. Joe Apple*

1984-85 - Comm. Robert C. Stone*

  
1955-56 - Col. C.J. Hyde 1985-86 - Capt. William C. Race*  
1956-57 - Col. William D. Early* 1986-87 - ASAC Herbert L. Steely  
1957-58 - Col. E.C. Hale* 1987-88 - Lt. Gary W. CampbelL  
1958-59 - Maj. Chester May* 1988-89 - Det. Charles A. Long  
1959-60 - Det. Paul Dunn* 1989-90 - S.A. Landon R. Pilcher  
1960-61 - Col. Russell Greenwell* 1990-91 - Dep. Russell England  
1961-62 - Col. Richard Quehl* 1991-92 - Lt. Ronnie D. Elliott  
1962-63 - Col. Fred Halle

1992-93 - Inv. Kenneth McDowell

  
1963-64 - Col. John Kersey* 1993-94 - Lt. Jack W. Wainscott*  

1964-65 - Col. Lewis Mutters

 1994-95 - ASAC George B. Teston  
1965-66 - Col. John Shay, Sr.* 1995-96 - Inv. Julia Owens Cleaver  


 


 

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