Glasgow, KY – Barren County Sheriff’s Detective Rusty Anderson, 47, died in the line of duty from a heart attack on Mar. 18, as he prepared to leave his home to help other deputies, the sheriff’s office said.

“We were following up on an investigation and [Barren County Sheriff Kent Keen] had called him out, and shortly after that he died of a heart attack,” Deputy Mike Houchens told the Bowling Green Daily News. “He was leaving his house to assist some other deputies with an investigation.”

Detective Anderson, a married father of two, began his career in law enforcement on Dec. 11, 2000, when he joined the Glasgow Police Department (GPD), the Barren County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) said in a Facebook post.

He served the GPD until April of 2005, when he joined the BCSO.

“Rusty served the public for 17 years, 3 months, and 1 week,” the department said.

Deputy Houchens noted that Detective Anderson was a “very sought after” key member of the department’s “day to day operations,” according to the Bowling Green Daily News.

“A very big piece of our puzzle is missing right now,” he said. “In this line of work we get really close to each other and families get really close.”

Detective Anderson was a “top-notch gentleman, full of integrity and knowledge,” Deputy Houchens added. “He always played a part in most every investigation…he loved his job.”

Family was of the utmost importance to him, Deputy Houchens said.

“He loved his family tremendously. He was always bragging to us about his kids, and his wife is one the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met,” the deputy said.

Detective Anderson is survived by his wife, Wendy, his son, Hunter, and his daughter, Amber, according to his obituary.

“We’re just trying to put one foot in front of the other right now,” Deputy Houchens said. “[He was] a wonderful friend and brother to all of us at the sheriff’s department.”

Detective Anderson was laid to rest on Mar. 22, according to the Glasgow Daily Times.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Barren County Sheriff’s Detective Rusty Anderson, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.