Shooting in Crittenden County leaves one dead and a law enforcement officer wounded

A shooting in Crittenden County has left one man dead and a law enforcement officer critically wounded.

Kentucky State Police said on Friday that 60-year-old Ronnie Phillips died, and Crittenden County Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Coyle was seriously wounded in an exchange of gunfire at a home along KY 365 between Mattoon and Sturgis. The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department went to the home along with the Kentucky Department of Community-Based Services to reportedly deliver emergency guardianship paperwork.

At around 5 p.m. during that encounter, gunfire was exchanged between Phillips and Coyle. Phillips died at the scene, and Coyle was flown to Deaconess Midtown in Evansville, where he was listed in critical condition. KSP said a female was safely removed from the home.

The Crittenden Press was told by KSP Captain Derek Smith that the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team was leading the investigation.  

The Press added that in addition to the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office and Marion Police, the Lyon, Livingston, and Caldwell County Sheriff’s Offices had been on scene assisting. Many of those agencies had pledged support and said they would provide officers and deputies to cover patrols in Crittenden County in the interim.

For updates on this story, click here for The Crittenden Press


Photo courtesy of The Crittenden Press