Harrisburg, PA – Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, today announced the promotions of members to the rank of major, captain, and lieutenant. All were recognized at a promotion ceremony on August 16.
Jonathon Rush Jr. Promoted to Major
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Jonathon Rush Jr. to major and assigned him as the director of the Office of Community Engagement. He most recently served as the commanding officer of Troop A, Greensburg.
A native of Pittsburgh, Major Rush enlisted in the State Police in 2003. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem. Major Rush also served in Troop B’s Uniontown, Washington, and Pittsburgh stations; Troop D, Butler station; Troop E, Erie station as patrol section commander and Meadville station as station commander; and Troop T station as the western section commander and captain.
Major Rush was promoted to corporal in 2009, sergeant in 2016, lieutenant in 2018, and captain in 2022. He is a 1997 graduate of North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and a 2001 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer/information sciences with a minor in the administration of justice. Major Rush is also a graduate of the third Pennsylvania State Police Leadership Development Program.
Meghan F. Barbour Promoted to Captain
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Meghan F. Barbour to captain and assigned her as the executive officer of the Deputy Commissioner of Operations. She most recently served in this position at the rank of lieutenant.
A native of Stoneboro, Mercer County, Captain Barbour enlisted in the State Police in 2005. Upon graduating from the Academy, she was assigned to Troop H and held various positions, including patrol trooper, criminal investigator, criminal investigation unit supervisor, and patrol sergeant. Captain Barbour also worked in the Internal Affairs Division and the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.
Captain Barbour was promoted to corporal in 2016, sergeant in 2018, and lieutenant in 2022. She is a 2001 graduate of Lakeview High School and a 2004 graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Kana W. Moy Promoted to Captain
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Kana W. Moy to captain and assigned him as the director of the Tactical Operations Division in the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations. He most recently served as the station commander in Troop D, Butler.
A native of Monroeville, Allegheny County, Captain Moy enlisted in the State Police in 2002. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Greensburg. As he progressed through the ranks, Captain Moy served as corporal in Troop A, sergeant in Troop T, and lieutenant in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Troop T, Butler. He was also a six-year member of the Pennsylvania State Police’s Special Emergency Response Team, where he served as a tactical unit member on the entry and Echo team.
Captain Moy was promoted to corporal in 2016, sergeant in 2018, and lieutenant in 2021. He is a graduate of Gateway High School, Allegheny Community College, and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Captain Moy also attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Kerby L. Young Promoted to Captain
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Kerby L. Young to captain and assigned him as the director of the Administrative Division in the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. He most recently served as the operations commander of the Domestic Security Section in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
A native of Lawrenceville, Tioga County, Captain Young enlisted in the State Police in 1996. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop H, Chambersburg. As he progressed through the ranks, Captain Young served in Troops H, F, T, G, and P. During his career, he also served as the station commander in Troop G, McConnellsburg; Troop P, Towanda; and Troop F, Coudersport.
Captain Young was promoted to corporal in 2004, sergeant in 2012, and lieutenant in 2018. He is a 1990 graduate of Williamson High School, a 1992 graduate of Corning Community College and Indiana University Municipal Police Academy, and a 2016 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
Daniel Boyd Promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Daniel Boyd to lieutenant and assigned him as the patrol section commander at Troop B, Washington. He most recently served as the criminal investigation section supervisor in Troop B, Washington.
A native of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Lieutenant Boyd enlisted in the State Police in 2006. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop G, Huntington. From 2006 to 2011, Lieutenant Boyd was assigned to patrol units at Troop G, Huntingdon and Troop B, Uniontown. From 2011 to 2017, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Units in Troop B, Uniontown, Washington, and Belle Vernon. Lieutenant Boyd was promoted to corporal in 2017 and served as the Criminal Investigation Unit supervisor in Troop B, Washington. He was also assigned to the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Internal Affairs Division before being promoted to sergeant in 2021.
John D. Herold Promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted John D. Herold to lieutenant and assigned him as the patrol section commander for Troop D. He most recently served as criminal investigation section supervisor for Troop D.
A native of Butler, Butler County, Lieutenant Herold enlisted in the State Police in 2005. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop C, Kane. As he progressed through the ranks, Lieutenant Herold served in Troops C, D, E, and F, as well as the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Systems Process Review Division. He is also a member of the Department’s Ceremonial Unit.
Lieutenant Herold was promoted to corporal in 2012 and sergeant in 2018.
Gerald Powell Jr. Promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Gerald Powell Jr. to lieutenant and assigned him as commander of the Tactical Operations Division in the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations. He most recently served as supervisor for the West Section, Tactical Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
A native of Uniontown, Fayette County, Lieutenant Powell enlisted in the State Police in 2008. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop H, Chambersburg. As he progressed through the ranks, Lieutenant Powell served in Troops H and B, the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Lieutenant Powell was promoted to corporal in 2016 and sergeant in 2018.
Craig Wharton Promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Craig Wharton to lieutenant and assigned him as the staff section commander of Troop F, Montoursville. He most recently served as station commander for Troop F, Mansfield.
A native of Dysart, Cambria County, Lieutenant Wharton enlisted in the State Police in 2002. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop F, Mansfield. As he progressed through the ranks, Lieutenant Wharton served in Troop F.
Lieutenant Wharton was promoted to corporal in 2016 and sergeant in 2018.
Jourdan A. Knapp Promoted to Administrative Manager of MPOETC
Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Jourdan A. Knapp to administrative manager of the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).
A native of Dover, York County, Ms. Knapp began her career with the State Police in 2006 at the Bureau of Records and Identification. Throughout her career, Ms. Knapp worked for the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, MPOETC, the Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Ms. Knapp is a 2005 graduate of Dover Area High School and a 2015 graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College, where she earned a degree in business management.