By: Christopher Leach For: Kentucky.com
One sheriff’s deputy was seriously injured and another man was killed in a shooting in Allen County Saturday, according to Kentucky State Police. The injured deputy is Brad Harper, the chief deputy with the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office, according to the sheriff’s office. KSP said he suffered life-threatening injuries in the shooting but was in stable condition as of Sunday morning.
Harper was shot while attempting to arrest a subject wanted for a charge of attempted murder, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office said it appreciates the support from the community and that Kentucky State Police are handling the investigation. “Prayers for Simpson County Chief Deputy Brad Harper,” the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association said in a Facebook post. “He was shot in the line of duty last night.”
Mike Wilson, a state representative for the 32nd District which includes Simpson County, said he’s praying for Harper, his family and the law enforcement community in a statement.
“Dedicated officers like Deputy Harper are the thin blue line standing between our communities and criminal dangers,” Wilson said in the statement. “He and others in law enforcement do so out of love for their fellow residents. I remain committed to supporting our law enforcement officers and ensuring their sacrifices are not taken for granted.” The shooting happened around 5:10 p.m. on New Buck Creek Road in Adolphus, according to KSP. The shooting happened while officers were looking for a suspect that fled officers in a vehicle in Simpson County just after midnight on the same day. One man was pronounced dead at the the scene by the Allen County Coroner’s Office, KSP said.
Officials haven’t confirmed more information, but the Allen County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday on Facebook it was searching for a man named Jeremy Rollenhagen, 37. Rollenhagen was previously accused of shooting at a deputy without injuring them. As part of that search, the sheriff’s office said it had a large presence on New Buck Creek Road, the same place where KSP said the shooting happened. “The area of New Buck Creek Road has been contained and there is no further threat of danger to citizens,” the Allen County Sheriff’s Office said later Saturday on Facebook. “Due to the ongoing investigation there will be no further details at this time.” Officials haven’t confirmed if Rollenhagen was killed in the shooting.
No other details about the shooting were made available by KSP. KSP said its standard operating procedure is to not release specific information until vital witnesses are interviewed and facts are gathered. Investigators were unavailable for additional comment Monday morning. The Allen County Coroner’s Office said it had identified the victim and notified family but isn’t releasing the victim’s name at this time.