Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. -Matthew 5:9
Status at EOW: Retried
Mr. Franklin served as a Livingston County Deputy Sheriff from 1989 to 1993 during the Sheriff Jack Day era. Mr. Franklin worked as a Deputy Jailer prior to becoming a Deputy Sheriff. John's friends knew him as "Roadblock".
Status at EOW: Retried
Jackie Charles Travelstead, 80, of Eddyville passed away at 11:19 pm on Friday, April 17, 2020 at Mercy Health Lourdes in Paducah.
He was born on February 19, 1940 at his home in Burna, KY.
He was a 1959 graduate of Livingston Central High School. He was a union steward at S.K.W. and overhead crane operator at Local 181. He was the chief over the DES in Livingston County and worked for the county ambulance service. He served as a Livingston County Deputy Sherriff for 13 years, before becoming a truck driver.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an outdoors man who loved to fish, hunt, four wheeling with his dog Dusty, and spending time with family. He was a faithful Red Cross donor. He was a Godly man and member of Lake City Baptist Church.
Status at EOW: Line of Duty
Trooper Eric Chrisman was killed in a vehicle crash on the US Route 62 near the Tennessee River Bridge in Livingston County at 5:48 pm.
He was responding to a reckless driver complaint when his vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and crossed into the path of an oncoming tractor trailer. Trooper Chrisman's vehicle was struck on the driver's side, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Trooper Chrisman had served with the Kentucky State Police for only six months.
Status at EOW: Line of Duty
Brian left Livingston County to join the Navy, from there he lived out his dream of becoming a police officer in Norfolk, Virginia.
Police Officer Brian Jones was shot and killed from an ambush in the 7400 block of Wellington Road while investigating an earlier shooting.
Shortly before 11:00 pm the subject had been randomly firing his gun at citizens as he drove down Chesapeake Boulevard, killing a 17-year-old boy. A short time later Officer Jones located the vehicle parked outside of the subject's home on Wellington Road. An off duty officer responded to back him up and, while they were assessing the situation, the subject opened fire on them with a high powered rifle from inside his home.
Both officers were wounded in the gunfire. They were both transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where Officer Jones succumbed to his wounds.
The subject fled the scene in his vehicle but was located by another officer. After the vehicle crashed the subject exited with a firearm and began struggling with the officer who pursued him. The subject was shot and killed during the ensuing struggle.
Status at EOW: Line of Duty
Deputy Sheriff Roger Lynch was shot and killed after responding to a domestic violence call.
Deputy Lynch arrived at the residence after an 18-year-old girl called 911 to report her parents were fighting. When Deputy Lynch entered the house, the suspect fired at least eight rounds from a rifle, four of which hit Deputy Lynch, killing him. Deputy Lynch was able to fire one round from his service weapon that struck the suspect in the chest, killing him. The 18-year-old daughter was also wounded in the exchange.
Deputy Lynch had served with the Livingston County Sheriff's Department for 5 years.
Deputy Lynch was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of American Legion Post 217.
Status at EOW: Line of Duty
Deputy Carnie Hopkins was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious hitchhiker near the intersection of US 60 and Highway 137 at 11:30 pm. He had radioed dispatch that he was exited his patrol car to contact the person. A few minutes later a dispatcher, who was en route to work, located his body. He had been shot once in the chest with his own service weapon.
The suspect has never been identified and the case remains unsolved.
Deputy Hopkins had previously served with the United States Air Force during World War II and was survived by his wife. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Ledbetter, Livingston County, Kentucky.
Status at EOW: Line of Duty
Deputy Sheriff John Gooch was shot and killed by a drunk man.
The man who shot him fled the county and was never apprehended. The man's brother was convicted of manslaughter and a second accomplice was acquitted.
Deputy Gooch had served with the Livingston County Sheriff's Office for two years.