Kenton County Chief Receives 2020 Melvin Shein Award
PICTURED ABOVE
Kentucky Law Enforcement Council Director John Moberly, right, presented Kenton County Police Chief Col. Spike Jones the Melvin Shein Award during last week’s virtual KLEC conference. (Photo provided)
Kenton County Police Chief Col. Spike Jones received the 2020 Melvin Shein award on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2019, for his distinguished law enforcement service to the commonwealth.
The Shein Award, named for Dr. Melvin Shein of Louisville, has been presented annually since 1973. The award is given each year to a recipient who has contributed immeasurably to law enforcement's assistance and promotion in Kentucky.
Jones served the Covington Police Department for 27 years, including a stint as police chief from 2012-2015 when he retired. In August 2015, he came out of retirement to become chief of the Kenton County Police Department.
“This year’s recipient has a 30-plus year history of leadership in law enforcement,” Jones’ nomination letter states. “(Jones) has been chief of two different agencies and has always been a proactive, progressive-minded chief that always left their agency a better place than it was found.”
Kenton County Police Chief Col. Spike Jones (Photo by Jim Robertson)
Jones was presented with the award during the November Kentucky Law Enforcement Council virtual meeting. He attended the meeting as board chair. Jones was caught off guard when his name was announced.
“I was surprised because there are so many members of the KLEC that have done so much for law enforcement in the commonwealth and are very deserving,” Jones said. “I was very surprised that I was considered for the award.
“When I received it, I began to reflect on a lot of things that I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in and experience,” he continued. “It was a humbling moment, especially when it’s an award that comes from your peers. To me, the feeling was overwhelming, and I may have mentioned on the (virtual conference) that I was a little choked up there for a second. It was a special moment.”
Dr. Shein graduated in 1939 from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a medical degree in 1943 and earned a Master of Science degree in pathology from the University of Louisville in 1950. He was a clinical instructor at the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine and had been a lecturer for the Kentucky State Police Academy.
Early in 1972, Shein conducted training for the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council in Frankfort, Bowling Green, Richmond and Louisville. Through seminars, Shein gave his knowledge to many officers regarding emergency childbirth and external cardiac resuscitation techniques and procedures. Shein has made outstanding commitments and contributions to law enforcement in Kentucky.
His conscientiousness was demonstrated when he donated a plaque to KLEC, which is presented annually to the person contributing the most to assist and promote law enforcement in the commonwealth for the previous year.
Jones’ nomination letter lauded his efforts of guiding KLEC through two changes in the director position.
“He’s had a very difficult task in the last year having to navigate through two different Directors of KLEC and a revolving door of appointed board members,” the letter stated. “Through it all, he has guided the Council to stay the course and has made very good changes to KRS and KAR legislation to better Law Enforcement.
His talent, open-mindedness and disposition have made these transitions and changes go smoothly.”
Each year, the recipient of this award is acknowledged on the Shein Award, which is displayed in the KLEC office in Richmond. Additionally, the recipient is presented with a plaque of his own.
