RICHMOND, Ky. — A solemn Friday afternoon in Richmond as the community remembered Daniel Ellis, an officer killed in the line of duty.
Friday, the Richmond Police Department honored their fallen hero with a ceremony at the police station. Ellis began his duties with the department in 2008.
On November 4th, 2015, Ellis was investigating an armed robbery at an apartment complex in Richmond. He was ambushed by the suspect and shot. Ellis died at UK Hospital in Lexington two days later.
Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson said he worked with Ellis as a supervisor in the criminal investigations unit.
“Ellis was the type of officer that treated people like they wanted to be treated; he was kind, he did his job, and he did it well,” Richardson said.
Richardson said Ellis poured his heart and soul into police work and always did it with a smile.
“He really set out to be the kind of person you wanted in your police department,” Richardson said.
Although he loved his work as an officer, Ellis was more than badge 457. He was a husband and father to a then four-year-old boy. Ellis was married to his wife Katie Ellis-Desimone for five years.
“Daniel was a quiet guy unless you got him really talking about something like sports. He could talk your leg off,” Desimone said.
Ellis was just 33 when he died, but his impact was so great. Family, friends, fellow officers and complete strangers gather every year to grieve and celebrate a life taken too soon.
“There’s no better town than Richmond; their outpouring of support and love for my family that has continued now for eight years has just been nothing short of amazing. We are very fortunate to live here,” Desimone said.
Gone, but making sure he’s never, ever forgotten.
“I think it kind of gives us a moment to be together and kind of be at peace. It helps us remember him, but it also gives us a moment to bond and to reflect upon,” Richardson said.
The man who shot and killed Ellis was convicted of first-degree murder in 2018. He is serving a life sentence without parole.