Deputy killed in Russell County shooting named

RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — A deputy is dead after a shooting Monday in Russell County.

According to Kentucky State Police (KSP), troopers and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) were “conducting an investigation on Bluebird Drive” in Russell Springs around 5:30 p.m. CDT when the shooting involving a deputy took place.

Bobbi Emerson, a homeowner in the area, told FOX 56 News that she heard what sounded like gunshots near a mobile home between Hopper Street and Lakeway Drive and then saw a person run behind her house.

“All of a sudden there were 15 to 20 cops and an ambulance at the trailer park pointing their guns at a camper,” Emerson said.

Several sources told FOX 56 News that a deputy and a man were shot. The man was taken to an area hospital and was later declared dead, per KSP.

Rita Campbell lives in the camper the alleged shooter ran into. She told FOX 56 she was not home at the time but her niece was. Fortunately for her niece, the police told her to leave the camper.

“It’s just overwhelming and there’s a lot to have to be fixed now,” Campbell said. “The bedroom. Pretty much everything in there is going to have to be took out and destroyed.”

She said she hasn’t been able to sleep yet and probably won’t be able to for a day or two.

“It makes me feel real uneasy of about even being here. Like my daughter stayed until almost daylight, and I left the door open, and I sat right there, like where I can watch out the whole time. And it’s like I’m trying to live in fear that something like that’s going to happen with me being in there,” Campbell said.

Kathy Kean lives in a trailer near the camper and told FOX 56 she saw everything.

She admitted to being scared for her life and the life of her granddaughter, who was with her at the time. She came outside a few times and saw the police running through the area.

Kean said she didn’t know who the shooter was and that her trailer was not struck by any gunfire.

The Russell County Fiscal Court said Monday night that RCSO deputy Josh Phipps was killed. According to KSP, he was a three-year veteran of the sheriff’s office.

“We are devastated to announce we have lost one of our own this evening, Deputy Joshua Phipps. We know Deputy Phipps’ family is grieving, and we grieve with them tonight. We appreciate your consideration for the family’s privacy and ask you to keep them and us all in your prayers,” KSP Trooper Houk shared on behalf of Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston in a Facebook post.

According to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), Phipps started with the department in June 2020 and graduated from the Metro Academy in February 2021. He was with LMPD until May 2021.

Attorney General Russell Coleman released the following statement Monday evening:

“Tonight, Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Phipps ended his watch to his county and his Commonwealth. All Kentucky mourns his loss and honors his selfless sacrifice. Along with Deputy Phipps’ brothers and sisters in uniform across Kentucky and the nation, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and colleagues.

The full resources of the Office of the Attorney General and our Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are ready to support the Russell County Sheriff’s Office and this community during this tragic time.”

In a KSP news release Tuesday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear said:

“Tragic news for our commonwealth as a Russell County deputy was killed in the line of duty last night. 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.”

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Russell County High School said in a Facebook post the school would be closed on Tuesday.

The City of Russell Springs shared a Facebook post about a prayer vigil that will be held at 5:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday at the top field of Russell Springs City Park in memory of Phipps.

Camille Hantla contributed to this story.

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