KSP’s Trooper Teddy Bear Program Brings Comfort to Children
KSP’s Trooper Teddy Bear Program Brings Comfort to Children in Crisis
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A long-running Kentucky State Police program designed to comfort children during traumatic situations traces its roots back more than three decades.
The Trooper Teddy Bear Project began in December 1989, following a black-tie gala fundraiser hosted earlier that year by then–Kentucky First Lady Martha Wilkinson at Red Mile Racecourse. The event raised enough money to purchase 2,000 Trooper Teddy Bears, which were distributed by troopers across the state.
The program was created to allow troopers to provide stuffed animals to children experiencing traumatic events, including vehicle crashes, abuse investigations, and interactions with terminally ill children. Each of the first bears included a personal note from First Lady Wilkinson.
Kentucky State Police partnered with the Indiana State Police during the early years of the program, with both agencies distributing Trooper Bears. Funding for the initiative ended in the early 2000s, but KSP has since revived the program and now plans to sustain it by offering Trooper Teddy Bears for sale to the public.
Troopers say children are often encountered during emotionally charged calls, including crashes, drug investigations, and domestic violence incidents, which can sometimes result in the arrest of a parent.
“When KSP is called to a scene, it’s not always a pleasant situation,” said Sgt. Matt Sudduth, KSP’s public affairs commander. “Unfortunately, there are many incidents where children are involved and witness scary things. To minimize the situation, we hope to provide children with a teddy bear to calm them down during these times.”
KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said the program also helps build trust between officers and children.
“As a law enforcement officer, it tugs at your heartstrings to arrive at a scene and see a child visibly upset and shaken,” Burnett said. “These children are often innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. This small gesture provides comfort and helps build trust between the officer and the child.”
