By Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training
The Bluegrass Beat is a monthly podcast delivering the latest topics and critical news affecting law enforcement officers and telecommunicators. Join us as we discuss training, technology, life, le
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The podcast currently has 18 episodes available.
Retired State School Security Marshal Ben Wilcox talks about the 2024 school safety report, being an SRO, a career of firsts, and being responsible for Kentucky’s kids. He also gives advice for future successors and a final message to law enforcement, teachers, and families as he prepares to start his retirement.
View the school safety report here.
Read more about the Office of the State School Security Marshal here.
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About Our Guest
Ben Wilcox, Retired Kentucky State School Security Marshal
Ben Wilcox began his career at the Department of Criminal Justice Training in 2004 and served as the State School Security Marshal, an office created in 2019 after the passage of the School Safety and Resiliency Act until his retirement on September 1, 2024.
Prior to that, Wilcox was the supervisor of the Instructional Design section, where he was responsible for all testing, curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional material at the agency. He also worked as an instructor in the Driving, Firearms, and Coordination sections.
Before coming to DOCJT, Wilcox spent six years with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy and school resource officer working with students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
During his law enforcement career, Wilcox served as the President of the EKU Association of Law Enforcement from 1997-1998, was honored with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year award in 2001, and was nominated for DOCJT’s Instructor of the Year award in 2009 and 2014.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in police administration and a master’s degree in career and technical education, with a concentration in occupational training and development, both from Eastern Kentucky University.
Wilcox and his wife Angie have two daughters, Alexandria and Addison.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this episode, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson discusses the steps taken by the Beshear-Coleman administration to create a safer Kentucky, protect law enforcement, strengthen communication with public safety leaders and enhance law enforcement training.
Show Materials
Gov. Beshear: Overdose Deaths Decline for Second-Straight Year, Nearly 10% Decrease in 2023
Kentucky Releases 2023 Crime in Kentucky Report
About Our Guest
Keith Jackson, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary
Since February 2024, Keith Jackson has served as Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Immediately prior to stepping into this leadership role, Jackson served as the cabinet's deputy secretary. He understands the cabinet's critical role in creating safer communities for all and works to ensure the safety and security of Kentucky communities through an approach centered on protecting citizens, restoring victims, and reforming wrongdoers – all in a focused environment where everything is measured for accountability and performance.
Prior to joining the cabinet, Secretary Jackson served as commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs where he was the Governor's representative and advisor on all veterans-related matters and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department. Before joining state government, Secretary Jackson served for 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserves in numerous capacities ranging from platoon leader to Battalion Commander. During his career, he served in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. In addition to his military service, he served for 24 years with the Lexington Fire Department, first as a firefighter before working as an Emergency Medical Technician and working his way up through the department’s ranks. In 2012, he made history by becoming the first African American appointed as Chief of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services.
Podcast Production Info
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this episode, Dawson Springs Police Chief Mike Opalek discusses policing in a tight-knit community, recovering from natural disasters, the impact of DOCJT drone training, drone technology in policing, and how the greater law enforcement family came to help his town during their time of need.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this powerful and enlightening episode, Department of Criminal Justice Training Resiliency Instructor Gabe Gillingham and his wife, Melissa Gillingham, discuss post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) among first responders and its ripple effects on their families and marriages. Tune in to hear the Gillinghams share their own personal journey through PTSI, restoration, helping others heal, and their continued work through the Kentucky Post-Critical Incidence Seminar (KYPCIS).
For more information about DOCJT’s Resiliency Section, click here.
For information about the Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar, click here.
Contact Gillingham at [email protected].
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, Flemingsburg Police Chief and Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation (KLEMF) Board Chair Brian Bowling speaks with host Critley King-Smith about the foundation, its history, this year’s upcoming memorial ceremony, resources provided for families of the fallen and much more.
This year’s Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held June 4, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond, Ky.
For information about the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, click here.
Contact KLEMF Board Chair Brian Bowling by emailing [email protected] or calling 606-748-2108.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
BRIAN BOWLING, FLEMINGSBURG POLICE CHIEF AND KLEMF BOARD CHAIR
Brian Bowling has served as the Flemingsburg Police Chief since January 2017. Before taking the agency’s leadership role, Bowling retired with the rank of Captain following 23 years with the Kentucky State Police. Bowling holds a bachelor’s degree in police administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree in administration of justice from the University of the Cumberlands.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this conclusion of the Bluegrass Beat case study: Seeking Savannah, Richmond Police Sgt. Kelli Fraze discusses her agency’s experience as the high-profile missing person’s case turned toward seeking justice for a murdered young Kentucky mother—Savannah Spurlock.
Fraze, who was one of the case’s lead investigators, speaks about steps taken, lessons learned, gaining information from technology and more.
Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson also talks about the hard work and dedication from his department that led to the case’s resolution, and Savannah’s aunt, Lisa Thoma, talks about the family’s interaction with RPD and what Savannah was like while she was living.
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Special Notes from Richmond Sgt. Kelli Fraze on investigations and the Spurlock case.
“(Investigations) can be, and will be, a long exhausting process. Every single piece of physical evidence you collect, every detail of the information you have gathered or processed over time is significant, and it's ok if things need to be done a second time. Leave no room for human error. It's all worth it, and it's all necessary. You must challenge your opponent, continue learning and keep trying. Find the people that’s going to make this possible. It is your duty to exhaust all possibilities and find the truth in the stories being told, to speak for the innocent and to seek justice.”
I want to note that Sgt. Casey Scott did a phenomenal job with developing this case against David Sparks. We all did what we thought was best or most helpful. But what matters most in the end is pen to paper. Being capable of taking on all the demands of putting it all together and developing proof beyond a reasonable doubt, especially in this type of case, is exceptional.”
Sgt. Fraze also cited the importance that a trusted family/victim’s advocate through the FBI played in developing a relationship with Savannah’s family. The advocate served as Fraze’s negotiator when stressful situations arrived and helped her connect the family to many beneficial resources.
Additionally, the RPD sergeant noted that sites, such as Leads Online, provided amazing resources that helped teach her how to write warrants for technology companies and connect her with the company's tech portals to obtain information.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music
”Dark Fog" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Plaint" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
It’s January 2019, a young mother of four has gone missing after a night out with friends. Her family is looking for answers and a community is concerned as everyone is seeking to find Savannah Spurlock and bring her home.
In this special episode of Bluegrass Beat, Richmond Police Sgt. Kelli Fraze reflects on the early days of the case that threw Kentucky into the spotlight and spanned three counties. Fraze, who was one of the case’s lead investigators, also talks about the first steps taken, lessons learned, gaining information from technology and more.
Richmond Chief Rodney Richardson also speaks about the importance media relations had on the case’s outcome.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music:” Dark Fog" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
In the first episode of 2024, Department of Criminal Justice Training Instructor Gabe Gillingham talks about the Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar, tools for coping with trauma and day-to-day stress, first-responder self-care, resiliency training and more.
For more information about DOCJT’s Resiliency Section, click here.
For information about the Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar, click here.
Contact Gillingham at [email protected].
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Gabe Gillingham is an instructor within the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Resiliency Section. He is also a peer support provider and program coordinator for the Kentucky Post-Critical Incident Seminar. Before joining DOCJT, Gillingham spent 12 years with the Hopkinsville Police Department –serving as a patrol sergeant and SWAT commander- and eight years on active duty with the Military Police. He served two combat deployments with the 101st Airborne Division.
Gillingham holds a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security with a minor in Public Management from Austin Peay State University, a master’s degree in justice, Policy and Leadership from Eastern Kentucky University and several other certifications within the criminal justice and mental health professions.
In addition to his life of service, Gillingham spends his time with his wife, Melissa, and his four children, Blaine, Taylor, Ollie and Bailey.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this year-end episode, Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Commissioner Nicolai Jilek talks to host Critley King-Smith about starting his fifth year at DOCJT, the importance of standards, learning from looking back, supporting department staff, meeting law enforcement training needs with collaboration and no compromise.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Nicolai Jilek is the Commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Training located in Richmond, Kentucky. He most recently served as president of the largest police union in Kentucky, the River City Fraternal Order of Police (RCFOP) and as a sergeant with the Louisville Metro Police Department.
As president of the 2,500-member RCFOP, Jilek was responsible for mediating disputes between the department administration and its sworn members and for enforcing existing labor contracts. He also served as a legislative agent for the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. In this role, he traveled the state to develop and strengthen working relationships with community leaders, elected officials and news media across the Commonwealth and advocated for law enforcement issues such as public employee pensions at the local, state and national levels. Jilek also sat on the Labor Committee and the Urban Cities Committee for the National Fraternal Order of Police, which allowed him to shed light on law enforcement issues at a nationwide level.
Jilek’s background at LMPD includes time spent in patrol and as a plainclothes detective in a division flex platoon investigating narcotic offenders and assisting division detectives.
Previously, Jilek was an officer and detective for the Danville Police Department. He was also a member of the special response team and a firearms instructor for the agency.
Jilek obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, which he earned with honors, and graduated the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee. Additionally, he completed the 1,280-hour Kentucky Police Corps program at DOCJT in 2002 and the Louisville Metro Police Academy in 2007.
Jilek and his wife, Tami, a proud public school teacher, have two young daughters, Sophia and Zoe. The family makes their home in Jefferson County.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Instructor David Gregory talks about his comprehensive experience with the agency as a recruit, a police chief and now as an educator.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
David Gregory served the city of Berea, KY, for 23 years—first as a police officer, police chief and then city administrator. Prior to his law enforcement career, Gregory served six years in the United States Army as a tank driver and also worked several years as a corrections officer at the Kentucky State Penitentiary and the Madison County Detention Center.
Gregory currently serves as an instructor in DOCJT’s Leadership Section. He holds a bachelor's in police administration from Eastern Kentucky University.
The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.
Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.
Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at [email protected] to share feedback.
Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.
The podcast currently has 18 episodes available.
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