Shannon West

Shannon West was appointed as Kentucky’s State School Security Marshal by Governor Andy Beshear on July 16, 2025. With more than 30 years of dedicated service in public safety, West brings extensive leadership, operational and training experience to the role overseeing the safety and security of Kentucky’s schools.

A veteran of the United States Army and the Kentucky Army National Guard, Shannon served a combined nine years in uniform before joining the Kentucky State Police (KSP). During his 20-plus years with KSP, he held several key positions, including trooper, Special Response Team (SRT) leader, detective sergeant, and investigations commander. His assignments spanned multiple posts in Mayfield, Bowling Green, Henderson, Pikeville, Richmond (SRT) and Elizabethtown—culminating in his retirement as a lieutenant from his home post in Bowling Green.

In July 2015, West joined the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) as a law enforcement training instructor. He advanced to become the Tactics Section Supervisor, where he oversaw specialized instruction in active shooter response, traffic stop and counter-ambush tactics, structure searches, low-light operations, warrant service, tactical medicine, and other high-risk operational skills. For the two years leading up to his appointment as marshal, West served as the In-Service Branch manager, overseeing statewide training programs for Kentucky’s law enforcement officers.

West holds multiple advanced certifications, including Force Science Analyst and Advanced Specialist, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Use-of-Force Instructor, and Centrifuge Vehicle Close Quarters Battle (CQB) Instructor.