403 Wapping Street Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 Robert F. Stephens, Secretary

08/31/00

FRANKFORT – Gov. Paul E. Patton today joined the Kentucky State Police in welcoming Ishmon F. Burks, of Louisville, as the new KSP commissioner during a swearing in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

Gov. Patton named the retired military officer and former Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Louisville’s Spalding University to head the Kentucky State Police last week. With this appointment, Ishmon Burks becomes the first African-American commissioner of the state’s premiere law enforcement agency.

"During this administration, we have placed the Kentucky State Police at the top of the list for funding and improvements," Patton said. "And with our outstanding selection of Ishmon Burks as commissioner, this administration continues to show its support and dedication to this agency."

Burks, 55, was sworn in by Jefferson Circuit Judge William E. McAnulty Jr. in front of his family, friends and co-workers. He begins his job Sept. 1.

Burks, a native Kentuckian, obtained the rank of Colonel in the United States Army and has degrees in education and criminology. He is a retired colonel in the United States Army.

He holds degrees in education and criminology, and his distinguished military and civic accomplishments include serving as acting inspector general for military police units in Europe, commanding a 900-member military police force in seven European communities, and heading up military police assignments worldwide. He was also Battalion Commander for the military police training school at Ft. McClellan, as well as being selected for the Criminal Investigation Brigade command.