Sandy MaloneBy Sandy Malone and Holly Matkin
Allen, KY – Prestonsburg Police Captain Ralph Frasure was murdered by a gunman during a violent standoff in Floyd County on Thursday night.
Capt. Frasure was one of a cadre of law enforcement from multiple agencies that responded to an active shooter scene in Floyd County on June 30.
Floyd County Attorney Keith Bartley likened the scene on Railroad Street in Allen to a “war zone” and said it was “raining bullets,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.
The City of Prestonsburg announced on Facebook on Friday afternoon that Capt. Frasure was fatally shot during the gun battle.
Floyd County Deputy Sheriff William Petry and Floyd County Sheriff’s K9 Drago were also murdered by the gunman, later identified as 49-year-old Lance Storz, WLEX reported.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) said four more officers were wounded during the standoff.
Rookie Prestonsburg Police Officer Jacob Chaffins remains in “grave” condition at the hospital, according to the city.
“Jacob Chaffins, just beginning a career in Law Enforcement, is currently in the hospital with a grieving young wife and daughter,” the post to Facebook read.
Two other officers remained in the hospital in stable condition and one of the wounded heroes was treated and released, WLEX reported.
An emergency management director who was shot during the incident was also still in the hospital receiving treatment.
Bartley said Storz used multiple high-velocity firearms during the attack on the law enforcement officers.
“They encountered pure hell,” Sheriff Hunt said. “They had no chance.”
Storz was charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder of a police officer, and assault on a service animal and was held on a $10 million cash bond, WCHS reported.
Additional charges were expected.
Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt confirmed the identities of the fallen heroes in a social media post and invited the community to show its support along the officers’ routes to their respective funeral homes.
OFFICERS KILLED | From Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt:
The procession of the fallen officers, Deputy William Petry and City Police Captain Ralph Frasure will be on Route 114 around 3:45 in route to their respective funeral homes. All are welcome to show their support. #WKYT pic.twitter.com/SGUFfRJBIs
— Chad Hedrick (@ChadHedrickWKYT) July 1, 2022
Today we are following up on the barricade situation that killed two officers last night in the Allen community of Floyd County. Officials say Deputy William Petry and Police Captain Ralph Frasure were both killed. A news conference is planned for this afternoon with an update. pic.twitter.com/ZesQmnlfT0
— Buddy Forbes (@BuddyWYMT) July 1, 2022
Capt. Frasure, a 39-year veteran of the police force, was also a popular school resource officer at Prestonsburg High School, WSAZ reported.
In recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, on behalf of our students, staff, and community, I would like to give a huge shout out to our school resource officer, Ralph Frasure! pic.twitter.com/EjSIGusWnI
— Ricky Thacker (@Thackeralgebra) January 9, 2022
Sheriff Hunt called the mass shooting a “planned event.”
“When the deputies put out the call for help, the responding agencies, I guess, just entered the line of fire without even knowing where it was coming from,” the sheriff explained. “We were there for hours before we even knew where it was coming from.”
“He was a sheer terrorist,” Sheriff Hunt told reporters.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and community that are suffering the loss of two hero’s William Petry and Ralph Frasure lost in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/dcUT1xc96p
— Randy Hoskins (@rallo3308) July 1, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Prestonsburg Police Captain Ralph Frasure, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Captain Ralph Frasure, your life mattered.
Holly Matkin
