Eastern Kentucky University is honoring a Hopkinsville native, as Kenton Buckner has earned the Distinguished Service Award.
Buckner, a graduate of EKU’s Police Administration program and the inaugural class of the online master’s in safety, security and emergency management, was presented with the Distinguished Service Award during the Best of Eastern Alumni Awards recently. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a heart of service with EKU or within their communities. Recipients of this award are giving of their time and talents in an effort to support awareness, facilitate growth and advocate for those around them.
Buckner was raised in Hopkinsville by his devoted single mother, who taught him the values of integrity, hard work and faith. He says those lessons and his time with EKU set him on a path of service through law enforcement.
His career began in Louisville, where he rose from patrol officer to assistant chief over 21 years. From there, he went on to lead as chief of police in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later Syracuse, New York.
For Buckner, service is a calling—measured not just in professional success, but in faith, fairness and the lives impacted.