UPDATE: Kentucky State Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting in Anderson County

***UPDATE***

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (January 20, 2024) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 12 detectives have continued the investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 23, 2023 in Anderson County.

The preliminary investigation reveals that the Lawrenceburg Police Department responded to the Lawrenceburg McDonald’s, located at 203 West Park Drive, in reference to a verbal altercation inside the restaurant. Officer David Goodlett and Officer John Myles were the responding units. Upon turning into the parking lot, Officer Goodlett began to receive gunfire from a male subject, later identified as Daejon Rucker, 24 years of age, from Lawrenceburg. Officer Goodlett and Officer Myles returned fire striking the individual. Officers administered life saving measures until Anderson County EMS arrived on scene. Mr. Rucker was transported to Frankfort Regional Hospital with life threatening injuries and then transported to the Albert B. Chandler University of Kentucky Hospital for further medical treatment. 

On January 20, Daejon Rucker was released from the hospital and a warrant of arrest was obtained with charges of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Attempted Murder, Wanton Endangerment of a Police Officer First-Degree, Wanton Endangerment, and Violation of an Emergency Protective Order.

Officer David Goodlett is an 18-year veteran with Lawrenceburg Police Department. Officer Myles is a one-year veteran of the Lawrenceburg Police Department. Both units were placed on two-week paid administrative leave in accordance with the policies of the Lawrenceburg Police Department. 

Original News Release below:

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2023) — The Kentucky State Police (KSP) has been requested by the Lawrenceburg Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 23, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m. EST in Lawrenceburg. KSP Troopers arrived on the scene and began an investigation into the incident.

A male individual was transported from the scene to a local hospital with unknown injuries. 

KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the Commonwealth as requested by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP’s standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.

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