By Karla Ward and Taylor Six
Lexington Herald-Leader
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. — A Russell County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed while searching for a suspect Monday evening.
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Deputy Sheriff Joshua Phipps was helping Kentucky State Police and other agencies search on foot for the suspect around 5:30 p.m. at Bluebird Drive. Gunfire broke out when they found him, and Phipps was shot, authorities said.
Phipps died later at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs. The suspect also died in the shooting.
“Deputy Josh Phipps died a hero, doing what he liked, Protecting and Serving Russell County,” Sheriff Derek Polston wrote in a social media post early Tuesday.
Polston asked for prayers for Phipps’ family and friends and the sheriff’s office and its staff. Phipps was a three-year veteran of the agency.
He said a number of other police agencies had contacted to offer help and support covering calls.
Condolences poured in from across the state.
Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement on the social media platform X, saying “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.”
Attorney General Russell Coleman pledged “the full resources” of his office and its Department of Criminal Investigations .
“Tonight, Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Phipps ended his watch to his county and his Commonwealth,” Coleman said in a statement. “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 Russell County Fiscal Court announced Phipps’ death in a post in which they said “our deepest prayers for comfort and peace are needed for his family and our community. Continued prayers for all law enforcement who put their life on the line each day to ensure our safety and freedom.”
Russell Springs Mayor Eddie Thomas said “our community has suffered a great loss tonight,” and he asked for thoughts and prayers for “our town, our county, and all of our first responders,” as well as for the sheriff’s office and the officer’s family and friends.
“This tragedy has shaken us all, but together, we will find strength and comfort,” Thomas wrote in a Facebook post. “Let us stand united as a community and support one another in the days ahead.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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