(Hickory, KY) On Thursday, May 8th, 2008, the Kentucky State Police held their annual awards ceremony at the University Club in Louisville. Three troopers and one telecommunicator from the Mayfield Post were honored at the ceremony.



Trooper Thomas Clifton, a Mayfield native, was presented with an award for being named the Mayfield Post’s 2007 nominee for “Trooper of the Year”. During the year of 2007, Trooper Clifton issued 1,273 citations, including 30 DUI, 439 speeding, 228 seatbelt, and 13 child restraint citations. Trooper Clifton also investigated 77 vehicle collisions and responded to 450 complaints. Clifton opened 83 criminal investigations and made a total of 215 criminal arrests. Trooper Clifton began his career with Kentucky State Police in December of 2005.

Two Troopers from Post 1 received the Citation for Meritorious Service with the “V” Device for Valor. This award is given to those distinguishing themselves by an act of courage performed under more than ordinary circumstances. Trooper First Class Christopher Anderson was the first to receive this award. On August 5th, 2006, TFC Anderson witnessed a vehicle collision on the Purchase Parkway in Graves County involving a semi hauling a heavy piece of equipment. TFC Anderson rushed to the scene of the collision to find the driver of the semi partially ejected from his truck and seriously injured. A physician who stopped at the scene stated to TFC Anderson that the driver needed to be moved in order to give him treatment. TFC. Anderson, without hesitation, removed the driver from the wreckage. At the time of the removal, a 90,000 pound pipe rested on the side of the cab which could have rolled off at any time. It was later stated that TFC Anderson took a positive action to aid in preserving the life of another without due regard to the risk of his own life in the face of obvious peril. TFC Christopher Anderson is a 14 year veteran with the Kentucky State Police and patrols Lyon County.

Trooper Mark Sallin (not in attendance; he is currently on military leave) is the second trooper to earn the Citation for Meritorious Service with the “V” Device for Valor. On March 4th, 2008, Trooper Sallin was dispatched to a vehicle collision in Calloway County. While responding to the collision, Trooper Sallin received information that the vehicle involved had driven into an area affected by flash floods caused by heavy rains. It was reported that the female driver was trapped and water had reached the windshield of the stalled vehicle. Upon Trooper Sallin’s arrival to the scene, flood waters had carried the woman’s car approximately 100 yards before coming to rest in a ditch. Trooper Sallin noticed the driver of the vehicle on the hood of her car and was told by onlookers that the lady could not swim. Trooper Sallin was also told that the woman had been stranded for up to 45 minutes. Realizing that the woman’s strength was failing and hypothermia could soon affect her, Trooper Sallin entered the waters in an attempt to rescue the woman. Sallin, 6’4” in height, waded through 5 ½ foot waters until he reached the woman who stood just over 5 feet tall. Trooper Sallin took the woman into his arms and swam back to safety. The extraordinary act of bravery and heroism by Trooper Sallin undoubtedly saved the driver from further injury and imminent death. Trooper Mark Sallin, is a 4 year veteran with the Kentucky State Police and patrols Calloway County.

Also receiving an award at the annual ceremony in Louisville was Dispatch Shift Supervisor Gary Fraser. The Commissioner’s Award is given to civilians who perform a life saving act or contribute to the success of a major KSP endeavor. On October 15th, 2006, Dispatcher Fraser received a 911 call of a collision with injuries in Graves County. The collision took place less than one mile from Post 1 on State Highway 45 North. Dispatcher Fraser sent the appropriate responders to the scene of the collision. The first trooper on scene notified Dispatcher Fraser via radio that there were multiple patients with life threatening injuries and one male who was unresponsive. Fraser, who is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), realized that he was only seconds away from the scene of the collision and left the dispatch center to assist at the scene. Dispatcher Fraser arrived at the scene and immediately focused his attention to the most critical of patients, the unresponsive male. Fraser used his training and applied a C-collar to the victim’s neck and pulled him out of the damaged vehicle. Fraser then opened the male’s airway and the victim immediately began breathing again. The extraordinary act of heroism by Dispatcher Fraser undoubtedly saved the life of the man. Shift Supervisor Gary Fraser, a native of Bardwell, has been employed as a telecommunicator with the State Police for 8 years.