STURGIS, Ky. (April 3, 2026) – Kentucky State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Crittenden County.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team has been requested by Post 2 Madisonville to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred at around 5 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Crittenden County.
The preliminary investigation indicates that officers from the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, along with staff from the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services, responded to 2807 Kentucky 365 in Sturgis, to serve emergency guardianship paperwork.
During the incident, gunfire was exchanged with the suspect, Ronnie Phillips, age 60, who was fatally wounded.
Crittenden County Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Coyle was struck by gunfire from the suspect, airlifted to the hospital, and remains in critical condition at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville.
A female victim was safely removed from the residence. No other injuries were reported.
KSP was assisted at the scene by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, Crittenden County EMS and Crittenden County Coroner’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation.
To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP’s standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines for completing investigations vary depending on the complexity of the case.
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