Training and Experience

Law Enforcement Training

Stephen's 11 years of law enforcement includes four years with the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, serving as a Road Deputy, 911 Dispatcher and Jail Corrections Officer.  This experience gave him the insight and understanding of the entire operation at the Pike County Sheriff's Department. 

For the past seven years, he has been working for the Bowling Green Police Department (BGPD).   Stephen works in a supervisory capacity as sergeant with the BGPD and is third in command.  In this capacity, Stephen leads and supervises investigations, is an active patrol officer and serves as the training officer and the facilities and fleet supervisor.  He also enjoys giving presentations to local groups and day care centers' on topics such as seatbelts and has performed child fingerprinting.

Stephen graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) through the University Of Missouri School Of Law Extension Program with 470 hours of basic law enforcement certification in April 1999. 

Military Experience

Stephen is a 16-year veteran of the United States Naval Reserves with the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7).  He is assigned to the Operations Department of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) Fifteen serving in the rate of Equipment Operator. 

Korte in Iraq with Seabee Battalion InsigniaStephen was mobilized for two tours of duty in Iraq.  During the first tour in 2004, he served with a Joint Task Force serving as the transportation supervisor. In this capacity, Stephen was responsible for $7 million worth of equipment and directing a staff of 11 to coordinate constructive use of the equipment.  He received an Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding performance. 

Stephen just completed his second tour of duty returning to the U.S. in April 2008.  Serving in the capacity as the Battalion’s Movement Control Chief, Stephen supervised all logistic movements to, from and in theater for the 500 personnel battalion.  He also supervised the movement of 3.4 million tons of building materials and supplies, coordinated over 400 convoys and air movements of over 1200 personnel. He received a Navy Achievement Medal for his superior performance.

Stephen also serves in a supervisory capacity with his Battalion during training in the U.S. He served as the Range Safety Officer for Southern Detachment's weapons qualifications on the M16 and 9MM for 138 personnel and instructed CB Combat Warfare qualification classes.  Comments from his senior officer state "Chief Korte is energetic, jubilant and maximizes the energy and capabilities of all those around him."  

Military Awards and Decorations

  • Army Commendation Medal
  • Navy Achievement Medal - Two Awards
  • Navy Unit Commendation
  • Iraqi Freedom Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal
  • Four Navy Battle “E” Ribbons
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal (4 Awards)
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  • Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol Medals
  • Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Qualified
  • NMCB 15 and 9th Navel Construction Regiment Sailor of the Year-2004

….”Veteran – whether Active Duty, Retired, National Guard or Reserve – is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount “up to and including my life”.  That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -----Author Unknown”.