Press Release by Adair County Emergency Management Agency and Interview of Grant Loy-Adair County Emergency Management & Adair County SAR Coordinator-Brandon Harvey

On Sunday, December 29, 2024 at approximately 3:08pmCT, the Adair County E911 Center was notified of an abandoned vehicle in the area of 252 Pelston Cemetery Road in the Breeding community of Adair County. 

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene and started to gather information. It was deemed that the driver of this vehicle, 74-year-old Thomas Burden, of Illinois had abandoned his vehicle, walked away, and was possibly injured and lost. 

At approximately 4:26pmCT, Breeding Fire Department Chief Terry Harvey was notified of the incident by the landowner. 

At approximately 4:44pmCT, Adair County Emergency Management was notified and responded to the scene. Search teams from the Breeding Fire Department had already initiated a hasty search of the area. Due to adverse weather conditions, the search was suspended twice. The search area consisted of fields, wooded areas and waterways. “The search area was very remote and treacherous; We suspended the search out of safety concerns for our rescuers”. “It was raining heavily, hailing and lightening, with winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour” says Brandon Harvey, Adair County SAR Coordinator/Breeding FD Captain. 

“Throughout the night, we were planning 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours in advance” says Grant Loy, Adair County Emergency Management Director. "We had a plan and who to call for assistance. We had ground teams from Breeding FD, Canine Search of Kentucky and Cumberland County Rescue Squad searching," continues Loy. “Adair County EMS Paramedic Preston Gaskin, owner of Fly High Aerial Drone Photography offered assistance with his thermal drone. Preston searched with his drone for approximately an hour.”

Campbellsville Fire Rescue responded to the scene with additional manpower and a Drone Team. At approximately 10:16pmCT, Chief Chris Taylor was able to locate the male, approximately 1300 feet from Mr. Burden’s vehicle using a thermal drone. Mr. Burden was located in a nearby field, awake and oriented, suffering from hypothermia. Adair County E.M.S. was dispatched and the male was transported to T.J. Health Columbia. 

“We are very fortunate of this outcome” says Loy. “Not all searches end with a save. We faced many different challenges that night. We had very little information to go off of. We were following every clue we found. We had personnel calling Mr Burden’s neighbors in Illinois; we had personnel performing internet searches of family members and posting updates on social media.” This incident is a great reminder, “If you see something, say something. We are lucky that the property owners saw the abandoned vehicle and called 911!"

Adair County Emergency Management would like to thank all search members from last night's efforts, along with the Adair County E911 Center for extensive investigative efforts and ensuring all responders were safe during this incident.

There were 32 search members on-scene for approximately 6½ hours.

Agencies involved in this search:

• Adair County Emergency Management
• Breeding Area Volunteer Fire/Technical Rescue Team
• Adair County E911 Center
• Columbia - Adair County Fire Department 
• Cumberland County Rescue Squad
• Campbellsville Fire/Rescue 
• Campbellsville Police Department Drone Operations
• Kentucky Emergency Management EOC
• Kentucky Emergency Management Area 10 Manager Bruce Crouch
• Adair County Ambulance Service
• CSI of Kentucky
• Fly High Aerial Drone Photography
• Alpha Team Air Support &
• Adair County Sheriff's Office

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RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (December 29, 2024) - Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers have arrested a Russell County man on a charge relating to the sexual solicitation of a minor. 

On December 26, 2024, a KSP Trooper received a complaint alleging Zachary Grider, 33, of Russell Springs, was sending messages to a 15-year-old juvenile through the Snapchat social media platform with some messages containing sexual references. 

On December 28, 2024, the preliminary investigation obtained information leading Troopers to arrest and charge Zachary Grider with Procuring or Promoting the Use of a Minor by Electronic Means. Mr. Grider was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center. The investigation continues and is being led by Trooper Blaine Sharp.  

The boil water advisory has been lifted as of 1:05pmCT...

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (December 27, 2024) – During the early morning hours of December 27, 2024, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 received a call from the Springfield Police Department requesting investigative assistance regarding a shooting incident at a residence on Claybrook Avenue in the city limits of Springfield.

KSP Troopers and Detectives responded to the residence and launched an investigation into the incident. The preliminary investigation determined an individual had forced their way into a residence on Claybrook Avenue and shot two females before fleeing the area. Kadesha Burch, 31, of Springfield, was found deceased in the residence from an apparent gunshot wound. The second female, Frances Campbell, 52, of Springfield, was injured by an apparent gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries. The investigation identified Roosevelt Davis, 23, of Milwaukee, WI, as a suspect. KSP Post 15 issued a statewide law enforcement bulletin to attempt to locate Roosevelt Davis. The bulletin led an officer with the Shelbyville Police Department to initiate a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Malibu, and the operator was identified as Roosevelt Davis. 

KSP Detectives responded to the Shelbyville Police Department and made contact with Mr. Davis. Detectives arrested and charged Roosevelt Davis with Murder, Murder (Attempt) and Burglary - 1st degree. Mr. Davis was lodged in the Shelby County Detention Center.

The investigation continues and is being led by Detective B.J. Burton. He was assisted by the Springfield Police Department, Washington County Coroner’s Office, Shelbyville Police Department and other KSP Troopers and Detectives.

COLUMBIA, Ky.  (December 22, 2024) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 55 Bypass near the intersection with Pelham Branch Road in Adair County that occurred on December 21, 2024, at 4:30 P.M. CST.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Joel Hammack, 46, of Crossville, TN, was traveling south on KY 55 Bypass in a 2016 Ford F150 at a high rate of speed. Mr. Hammack came upon a slower-moving 2018 Kia Sorento traveling south on KY 55 Bypass. The Kia Sorento was operated by Townya Ritzie, 62, of Columbia. Due to Mr. Hammock’s speed, his vehicle collided with the rear end of the Kia Sorento. The collision forced Ms. Ritzie’s vehicle off of the roadway where it overturned.  

A juvenile passenger in Ms. Ritzie’s vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Adair County Coroner. Two passengers, Susan Morgan, 66, of Columbia, and a juvenile were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Another juvenile passenger and Ms. Ritzie were transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Mr. Hammack and a passenger in his vehicle, Walter Nichols, 45, of Bean Station, TN, were treated and released.

Joel Hammack was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide Under the Influence of Alcohol, DUI 4th Offense or Greater, Assault 1st Degree and Assault 2nd Degree (3 counts). Mr. Hammack was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.

Upon arrival at the collision, first responders were met by Walter Nichols, who was unruly as they attempted to aid those involved. Walter Nichols was subsequently arrested and charged with Assault 3rd Degree (EMS, Fire, Rescue Squad), Assault 4th Degree (Minor Injury), Terroristic Threatening 3rd Degree, Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree and Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place. Mr. Nichols was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center. 

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Adair County Sheriff's Office, Columbia Police Department, Columbia Fire and Rescue and the Adair County Coroner’s Office. Senior Trooper Weston Sullivan is investigating the collision.

According to jail records, 46-year-old Joel Ray Hammack of Crossville, TN was arrested in Columbia by KSP on Saturday afternoon following an accident on the Columbia Bypass that has claimed the life of an Adair County child. A passenger, one of the child’s friends, was flown out with unknown injuries. 

The child, identified as 7-year-old Rose Morgan of Columbia, KY was killed as a result of the crash caused by a man who has had numerous DUI charges and was reportedly under the influence at the time of this crash.
 
Reportedly, the child’s grandparents were taking the child and friends out for the evening when Joel Ray Hammack crashed into their vehicle. Hammack has been charged with vehicular homicide, operating a vehicle while under the influence (4th or greater offense), assault 1st degree and assault 2nd degree. He remains lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail. The Columbia Bypass was closed for hours while authorities investigated the incident and cleared the scene. 

This is a developing story and more details will be posted when available.

A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned indictments against several individuals. We remind you that indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (December 16, 2024) - Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 is investigating a Taylor County man charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

On the afternoon of Saturday, December 14, 2024, KSP Post 15 received a request for investigative assistance from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). Troopers and Detectives responded to a residence on Pops Road in Taylor County and launched an investigation. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that Sheriff Dickie Benningfield responded to a report of gunfire near a residence on Pops Road. Upon arrival, Sheriff Benningfield was standing next to his patrol vehicles, speaking with the individual who had reported the gunfire. Sheriff Benningfield heard several gunshots coming from a nearby residence and saw that several rounds of gunfire had struck his patrol vehicle. The Sheriff and Deputies went to the residence where the gunshots had emanated from, located Cody Laytart, 31, of Campbellsville, and placed him under arrest. 

Cody Laytart was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center and was charged by TCSO Deputy Josh Durbin with the following charges: 

• Attempted Murder of a First Responder (Peace Officer) 
• Assault 3rd Degree (Police Officer)
• Terroristic Threatening 2nd Degree
• Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree
• Resisting Arrest 
• Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place
• Violation of Conditions of Release

KSP Detective B.J. Burton is continuing the investigation of the incident. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office assisted Detective Burton at the scene.

Campbellsville Fire-Rescue was dispatched this morning at 6:22am to Druthers on South Columbia Avenue to a report of a grill fire, upon arrival firefighters found light smoke coming from the Alpha Side of the structure with occupants evacuated.

The staff had deployed ABC fire extinguishers prior to our arrival but firefighters still located fire near the back of the grill area, firefighters extinguished the remaining fire, provided ventilation and checked for fire exposure to the structure. Damage was contained to the grill. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. 

Firefighters Responding: 7

Responding Apparatus: Engine 4

Assisting Agencies:

Campbellsville Taylor County 911 Center

Campbellsville Police Department

Chris Taylor, Chief

Executive Director Fire-Rescue-EMS

Campbellsville Fire-Rescue

100 West Broadway

Campbellsville, KY 42718

Torie Webb, 23, of Campbellsville, KY was arrested on Friday, December 13, 2024 by the Campbellsville Police Dept. for Burglary 3rd degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree (Drug Unspecified), Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Drug Unspecified), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,  and Prescription Drug Not in Proper Container. She was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.

Taylor County Sheriff Dickie Benningfield investigated a three vehicle accident that injured one person, the mishap occurred when a car operated by 18 year old Laurel Cochran of Lebanon failed to stop at the intersection causing the collision involving Graci Wood age 23 of Campbellsville and Zachery Garcia age 28 of Campbellsville. Cochran was taken to Taylor Regional Hospital.

The accident occured at 4pm Thursday afternoon.

A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned indictments against several individuals. Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.