Holly MatkinScott County, KY – Scott County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy Caleb Conley was murdered in the line of duty while conducting a traffic stop on Monday evening.
The incident occurred at about 5 p.m. on May 22 on Interstate 95 near mile marker 127, WLEX reported.
Investigators said the 35-year-old deputy was in the midst of a traffic stop involving 45-year-old felon Steven Sheangshang when Sheangshang fatally shot him, according to the news outlet.
Deputy Conley was walking up to Sheanshang’s Nissan Murano when he was gunned down, WTVQ reported.
The wounded hero was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Captain Paul Blanton told the Courier Journal.
The suspect allegedly fled the scene after shooting the deputy and headed over to River Run Court in Georgetown, where police said he forced his way into a home, WLEX reported.
Sheangshang then allegedly pointed a gun at the homeowner and stole the keys to his vehicle.
Investigators said the suspect sped off in the stolen vehicle and went to Lexington, where he allegedly shot a man in the stomach at Rose and Jim’s Bar and Grill, according to WTVQ.
Sheangshang allegedly stole the wounded victim’s vehicle and drove away, WLEX reported.
Police tracked the gunman down at a home on Charles Avenue and took him into custody at 6:41 p.m.
Investigators said they recovered a .44 Magnum revolver from inside the home, WLEX reported.
Details regarding the circumstances of his arrest were not immediately released.
According to arrest records, Sheangshang was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incidents, WTVQ reported.
The victim who was shot at the bar and grill was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery, according to WTVQ.
His condition was not immediately available.
Sheangshang was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center on charges of murder of a police officer, theft by unlawful taking of an automobile, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, first-degree fleeing or evading police, burglary, and first-degree wanton endangerment, WLEX reported.
The KSP are handing the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting.
Scott County Sheriff Tony Hampton confirmed Deputy Conley’s death during a press conference on Monday night, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.
“He was out there today doing his job and look what happened to him,” Sheriff Hampton said. “A coward coming through our county on I-75 took his life, took him away from his family.”
Deputy Conley served eight years in the U.S. Army before joining the SCSO four years ago, WLEX reported.
“He was just a go-getter and loved his job and it is a shame it got cut short because he loved his job and he was so good at it,” Sheriff Hampton said, according to the Lexington Herald Leader.
Deputy Conley’s murder marks the first line-of-duty death in the department’s history.
He leaves behind his wife and two young children, according to a fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of their loss.
Donors have contributed more than $7,700 to the fund so far.
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
EOW: Monday, May 22, 2023#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/1aLMNuCnWv
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) May 23, 2023
We just saw a coroner’s van leave followed by a procession of blue lights. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/8NILqtrLm0
— Christiana Ford (@christianaford_) May 23, 2023
Kentucky, please join Britainy and me in praying for the family and fellow law enforcement officers of Scott County Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley, who was killed this evening while protecting our people. This hero made the ultimate sacrifice, and we will be forever grateful. ^AB
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) May 23, 2023
The police escort taking fallen Scott County sheriff’s deputy Caleb Conley has arrived at Ware Funeral Home in Cynthiana. pic.twitter.com/UPGvqOVXzh
— HLpublicsafety (@HLpublicsafety) May 23, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Scott County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Caleb Conley, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Deputy Caleb Conley, your life mattered.
