Murray State University today announced MSU Interim Police Chief Jeff Gentry was officially tapped as MSU Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management.
In a written statement to WKMS, Gentry said he feels “honored and blessed” to serve in the position with MSU and expressed appreciation to the administration for their guidance and encouragement over the years.
“I could not imagine serving any other place than Murray State University,” he wrote. “The students, parents, faculty, staff, officers and our parking and dispatch staff at MSU give me great joy and a sense of pride working at MSU. I wholeheartedly still believe in policing and look forward to serving each and every one that enters the doors at Murray State.”
In a campus-wide email, MSU Finance and Administrative Services Vice President Jackie Dudley said she was happy to make the announcement.
“Jeff strives to be a collaborative, empowering leader and plans to build upon the police department’s community policing by continuing to actively engage with students, parents, faculty and staff at MSU,” she wrote. “This is a vitally important position as we continually work to maintain a safe and secure campus for the benefit of our students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and the larger community.”
Before his appointment as interim police chief in June 2020, Gentry served the university for 20 years as a MSU law enforcement officer and deputy chief. He also served as president of the Kentucky Association of University Law Enforcement Administrators for the past three years. And he served civic organizations including Murray-Calloway County Park Board and the Calloway County Library Board.
Gentry is also a Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Executive Development Program graduate.
