STATE POLICE: FOR 50 YEARS THE FORCE HAS BEEN WITH US

FRANKFORT -- It's been 50 years for Kentucky's "Thin Gray Line."

Yesterday marked 50 years since the law creating the Kentucky State Police
was passed in the 1948 legislature, though it took effect July 1 of that
year. The state House and Senate each honored the KSP yesterday with
resolutions saluting the force.

"We go to bed at night knowing that they're out there, and we can sleep
better," said House Majority Leader Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg.

KSP Commissioner Gary Rose accepted the commendations with other top
officials of the force, and the state police unveiled a 50th-anniversary
logo.

Among other things, the KSP handles many major criminal cases outside urban
areas, has special units on drug and corruption investigations, runs the
state's crime labs, eradicates marijuana and patrols highways statewide.

There are 890 sworn officers, with 73 more in training.