Paducah man facing attempted murder of police officer charge
BENTON, Ky. (KBSI) – A man faces attempted murder of a police officer and other charges in Marshall County.
John B. Ross, 43, of Paducah faces charges of attempted murder of a police officer, convicted felon in possession of a handgun and theft by unlawful taking (greater than $10,000 but less than $1,000,000).
Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 detectives have continued the investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred on January 9 in Marshall County.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Spears was on routine patrol at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9 when he saw what he believed to be a theft in progress at a residential construction site on Harold King Drive in Benton.
A pickup truck was backed up to a utility trailer at the construction site.
Deputy Spears stopped to check on the truck.
That’s when he saw a man later identified at Ross appear from behind the truck. Sheriff’s deputies say Ross pointed a handgun in the direction of Deputy Spears and fired the weapon.
Deputy Spears returned fire with his agency-issued handgun and struck Ross.
Ross was taken to an area hospital and later transferred to an out-of-state hospital where he was treated and released from medical care.
Deputy Spears was not struck by any of the shots fired by Ross, according to Kentucky State Police.
While Ross was receiving medical attention, a warrant for his arrest was obtained. When he was released from medical care, he was arrested and served with the warrant.
On January 17, Ross waived a preliminary hearing and presentation of the case to a grand jury. A circuit court arraignment is scheduled for February 13.
A second person later identified as Kevin M. Sorensen, 35, of Paducah was found in the driver’s seat of the pickup truck at the time of the incident.
Sorensen was arrested at the scene on a burglary, 1st degree charge. The charge of burglary, 1st degree was later amended to theft by unlawful taking (greater than $10,000 but less than $1,000,000).
On January 17, Sorensen waived a preliminary hearing and presentation of the case to a grand jury, resulting in a circuit court arraignment scheduled for February 13.
Deputy Nick Spears has 16 years of law enforcement experience and is a five-year veteran with Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Spears was placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with the policies of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
