A Kansas Highway Patrol employee’s social media post about receiving donations for personal travel prompted a statement from the agency this week, followed by a clarification from the employee himself.
On September 1, Trooper Ben posted to his Facebook page thanking people who had contributed through payment apps to help cover the cost of traveling to Michigan for his father’s funeral. “Driving my Jeep back and forth to Michigan will take quite a bit in fuel alone, so your kindness really helps,” he wrote.
The Kansas Highway Patrol later released a notice acknowledging the post and clarifying that it was not connected to agency activities.
“The Kansas Highway Patrol is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel,” the statement read. “Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business. We regret any confusion and apologize for anyone who was offended.”
On Wednesday, Trooper Ben addressed the situation directly on his Facebook page. He described his page as his “digital diary,” explaining that his comments were personal and separate from his employment.
“Yesterday’s post about traveling back to Michigan was just that, personal,” he wrote. “My words were not connected to my employment in any way. It was only me saying thank you for the unexpected kindness that helps with my dad’s funeral.”
He added that while he respects and values his workplace, his page is his own space, writing, “Where I work will always be a place I respect and cherish, but this page is my space. My words are my own.”
Trooper Ben closed his post by reaffirming that he uses his page as a way to serve others, calling it “#MyMinistry” and “my way to #HelpMore.”
