Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation Awards $35,000 in Scholarships

College scholarships totaling $35,000 have been awarded to 21 Kentucky families by the Gerald F. Healy Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation (KLEMF) Scholarship endowment.

Surviving family members of officers who died in the line of duty are eligible for $5,000 scholarships. This year, one survivor scholarship was awarded to the daughter of Kentucky State Police Trooper Johnny Edrington (end of watch, Dec. 20, 1988).

The remaining recipients, which include the children of 20 Kentucky peace officers, were awarded $1,500 scholarships.

Healy was a founding member of KLEMF, which was established in 1999. The foundation’s original purpose was to build a memorial that would honor all Kentucky officers who have died in the line of duty. Once the monument was completed in 2000, the organization expanded its efforts to include a financial endowment program, which helps Kentucky peace officers and their families with educational, medical and emergency relief.

In 2004, the foundation created the scholarship program to help law enforcement officers, dispatchers and their families pay for college. It is restricted to law enforcement officers and dispatch personnel (current, retired or disabled) and their survivors or dependents. The scholarships may be used at any accredited college or university, including two-year and community colleges, and may also be used for attendance at recognized and certified vocational or trade schools. Students do not have to major in law enforcement or criminal justice to be eligible for the scholarship.

After his death in 2009, the scholarships were named in honor of Healy’s dedication to the foundation.

“The goal of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation has always been to honor and help the officers of this state,” said KLEMF Scholarship Committee Chairman Drexel Neal. “I cannot think of a better way to honor the fallen heroes of the past and our officers of today than to help educate their survivors, their comrades and their dependents for a better future.”

Applications for the Healy scholarships are due annually in March, and are reviewed by the KLEMF Board of Directors. For details and to obtain an application, visit klemf.org/scholarships.

The 2021 scholarship recipients are:

Luke Adams, Woodburn
Son of Western Kentucky Police Detective Brian Adams
South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College         

Calyn Baker, Berea
Daughter of US Drug Enforcement (London, KY) Special Agent Fred Baker
Eastern Kentucky University

John Blades, Lexington
Son of Nicholasville Police Capt. Henry Blades
Eastern Kentucky University

Timothy Joseph Bryant, Junction City
Son of Harrodsburg Police Chief (Ret.) Timothy Bryant
Lindsay Wilson College

Brenna Early, Cumberland
Daughter of Kentucky Department of Parks Capt. Christopher Early
University of Kentucky

Chloe East, Williamsburg
Daughter of Hazard Police Deputy Chief James East
University of the Cumberlands

Paige Ford, Henderson
Daughter of Murray State University Officer Clinton Ford
Murray State University

Ethan Frazier, Clay City
Son of Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Capt. Phillip Frazier
Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Lee Mason Hagan, Louisville
Daughter of Louisville Metro Police Officers Christopher and Kristina Hagan
Eastern Kentucky University

Victoria Holliday, Lexington
Daughter of Lexington Police Officer Christopher Holliday
University of Tennessee

Bryce Huff, Hebron
Son of Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Huff
University of Kentucky

Braden Jackson, London
Son of London Police Officer (Ret.) Billy Jones
Eastern Kentucky University

Anna Lee Jansen, Ft. Thomas
Daughter of Campbell County Sheriff Mike Jansen
University of Cincinnati

Austin Lafferty, Richmond
Son of Richmond Police Sgt. (Ret.) Brian Lafferty
Eastern Kentucky University

Callie Edrington Maggard, Louisville
Surviving Daughter of Kentucky State Police Trooper Johnny Edrington
Campbellsville University

Zachary Matthews, Rusellville
Son of Franklin Police Lt. Robert Matthews
University of Kentucky

Lauren Scott, Elizabethtown
Daughter of Probation and Parole Officer Tanya Scott
University of Louisville

Anna Shryock, Versailles
Daughter of Woodford County Public Schools SRO Patrick Shryock
University of Kentucky

Brandon Taylor, Lexington
Son of Lexington Police Officer Eric Taylor
University of Kentucky

Keegan Wilder, Beattyville
Son of Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Douglas Wilder
Nascar Technical Institute

Laurel Yates, Mt. Vernon
Daughter of Kentucky State Police Lt. John Yates
Valparaiso University