RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. — A Russell County Sheriff’s deputy is dead, and the Kentucky State Police are investigating what happened.
According to a social media post from Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston, Deputy Josh Phipps was helping KSP search for a suspect who took off on foot. Polston said when the suspect was found, gunshots were exchanged.
Both Phipps and the suspect were hit by bullets. Both men were taken to a nearby hospital where both men died.
“Deputy Josh Phipps died a Hero, doing what he liked, Protecting and Serving Russell County," Polston said.
Phipps had been with the sheriff’s office for three years.
“Tragic news for our commonwealth as a Russell County deputy was killed in the line of duty last night,” said Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. “Britainy and I ask all of Kentucky to join us in praying for his family, fellow law enforcement officers and the entire Russell County community.”
Before joining the sheriff’s department, Phipps was with the Louisville Metro Police Department. LMPD said Phipps joined LMPD in June 2020. He was a member of Metro Academy Class 46 and graduated on Feb. 21, 2021. Phipps, a patrol officer with LMPD’s second division, left the department because of personal reasons in May 2021.
"(Josh) would always jump in, and no matter what was going on would always be there," Polston said. "He was always kind, brave."
Russell Springs resident Denver Wilson stopped by the Russell County Courthouse to pay tribute to Phipps. He said he always put others first.
"He's the kind of guy when someone had a wreck, he'd take someone home rather than leave them stranded," Wilson said. "He was that kind of guy."
"It just tears me up because we've never had an officer just get gunned down like that in Russell County."
U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding Phipps being killed in the line of duty.
"His sacrifce is a sober reminder of the debt we owe our courageous law enforcement officials," he said. "They are the first to run toward fire and the first to to put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe."
"I am deeply saddened to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Phipps, who tragically gave his life in the line of duty," said Sen. Rick Girdler, R-Somerset. "Deputy Phipps devoted himself to protecting and serving our community, and his loss is a stark and painful reminder of the risks faced by the brave men and women who wear the badge every day."
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates all shootings when a law enforcement officer is involved.