Trooper Jonathan Kyle Leonard

On December 19, 2006 at 6:19 I witnessed a coworker, a friend, and a brother being struck and killed by motor vehicle. Moments before the collision, I spoke with Jonathan on the phone as we often did just before he started his shift. As I looked up in my rear view mirror I could see his cruiser. This was routine for all Troopers assigned to A sector of Pike County. We would park beside one another, in the median on US119 at Sidney. When Jonathan attempted to cross the four lane, he unknowingly pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle and was tragically killed. I have never spoke publicly about the details I witnessed and experienced that night and never will. I have carried those memories with me over the last 13 years of my career as a Kentucky State Trooper. When on the scene of a critical incident Troopers push through, in an effort to get help to those who need it, save lives and process scenes. It’s just what we do. No time to process what we all are truly thinking. Those thoughts are buried deep within each of us and best described as “service above self”. I continued to drive past that scene everyday until I retired on October 1st, 2019. I could never wear that uniform again, so I thought.

Just prior to retirement, I attended “KYPCIS” . Kentucky Post Critical Incident Seminar. Completely unaware and not knowing what the program was about, I decided to attend. After attending the program I returned as a peer team member to help others. Because of PCIS I was able to begin my healing process. Just over a year has passed since my retirement. On December 1, 2020, I was hired as a Kentucky State Trooper R at Post 14 in Ashland. I’m wearing the same badge I was wearing the last shift I worked with Unit 750. I will never forget the memories we shared as Troopers working in “A”sector. “A” sector units have a bond like no other. Most importantly I will never forget the time you gave so selflessly listening to me. Unit 695 will forever be a part of who I am. Once a Kentucky State Trooper , always a Kentucky State Trooper!

Trooper Jimmy Nolte
Kentucky State Police

December 20, 2020