Holly MatkinBenton, KY – Calloway County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Chief Deputy Jody Cash was killed in the line of duty on Monday after being shot outside the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
The 44-year-old chief deputy was escorting a prisoner when the prisoner shot him, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
The suspect was also fatally shot during the incident.
His identity has not been released.
The deadly encounter occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. on May 16, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) said in a press release on Monday evening.
First responders from multiple agencies responded to the sheriff’s department and the Marshall County Detention Center, which are located in the 100-block of West Fifth Street, WSIL reported.
They arrived to find the suspect and Chief Deputy Cash both suffering from gunshot wounds.
The chief deputy was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, the KSP confirmed.
Additional details regarding the shooting have not been released.
KSP Critical Incident Response Team detectives and Post 1 troopers are handling the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Calloway County Sheriff Nicky Knight released a statement Tuesday calling the veteran lawman a “dear friend” who died “while serving his community.”
“I have known Jody and worked with him in various capacities throughout his entire law enforcement career from Murray State Police, Kentucky State Police, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and finally as Chief Deputy for Calloway County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Knight wrote.
“We, as law enforcement, work in what Justice Cunningham referred to as ‘the arena of human tragedy,’ yet his compassion, caring, and loving personality shined bright,” the sheriff continued. “He always held true to the Kentucky State Police motto of ‘Service above self.’”
Chief Deputy Cash spent six years serving the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, six years as the Murray State University assistant police chief, and eight years as a KSP trooper before he joined the CCSO 18 months ago, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“It is our job, the living, to dedicate ourselves to helping this community and by doing that we will honor the legacy of Jody Cash in perpetuity,” Sheriff Knight said. “To his wife Michelle, his son Jackson, and Madyson my thoughts and prayers and the thoughts and prayers of all law enforcement and this community are with you.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear released a statement on Monday asking residents to keep Chief Deputy Cash’s loved ones in their prayers.
“This deputy has paid the ultimate sacrifice today while serving our commonwealth,” Beshear wrote. “Let us honor the life, bravery and service of this deputy.”
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Jody Cash. After the school shooting in 2018, he was there for the MC School District. His comfort and support & friendship was unbelievable. RIP my friend! Thank you for your service. pic.twitter.com/a2VjHuZl2v
— Trent Lovett (@trentlovett) May 17, 2022
Rest In Peace Calloway County Chief Deputy Jody Cash who was shot & killed on 5/16/22 by a prisoner he was escorting. The prisoner was also shot & killed. He was a 22 year veteran & leaves behind a wife & 2 children. Please retweet to honor him #BlueLivesMatter #BackTheBlue 💙🖤 pic.twitter.com/tOm7waTTo3
— Angel L Maysonet🇵🇷🇺🇸👮🏻♂️💙🖤 ✭ (@bigricanman) May 18, 2022
We stand with the Calloway County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky as they remember Deputy Sheriff Jody Cash, who was shot and killed yesterday while escorting a prisoner. Deputy Cash had served the people of Kentucky for more than 20 years in law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/QeA2FMGM8I
— Chief Kathleen O’Reilly (@NYPDChiefPatrol) May 17, 2022
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
EOW: Monday, May 16, 2022#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/BY0rMosbbn
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) May 18, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Calloway County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jody Cash, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Chief Deputy Jody Cash, your life mattered.
Sandy Malone
