Paducah police cruiser struck by gunfire during pursuit: McCracken County Sheriff gives update
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — A Paducah Police Department vehicle was hit by gunfire November 7th, 2025, during a pursuit led by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 8:07 p.m. as deputies pursued a suspect toward the Paducah city limits on Lone Oak Road. Paducah Police Sgt. Dylan Cook positioned himself at the entrance of the former Kmart parking lot in the 2500 block of Lone Oak Road and attempted to deploy stop sticks. His marked patrol vehicle was parked with emergency lights activated.
As the fleeing vehicle passed, the driver — identified as Robert Wray — allegedly fired a handgun toward the police car. A bullet struck the rear passenger-side window, landing only a few feet from where Cook was standing. Cook was not injured.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation. McCracken County Sheriff Ryan Norman said his office enacted its critical incident protocol immediately after the pursuit ended and requested KSP to conduct an independent investigation. The sheriff’s office also completed an internal review, determining that all deputies acted in accordance with department policy and state law.
Norman emphasized the role of ongoing training, including driver training, in preparing deputies for high-risk encounters.
“I am very proud of how our deputies and the officers of the Paducah Police responded that night,” Norman said. “Their actions showed true professionalism, bravery, and dedication to the community they serve. While the outcome was certainly not what anyone would have wanted, everyone performed their responsibilities exactly how I would have wanted them to. The citizens of McCracken County should be proud of the Paducah Police Department, McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, and Kentucky State Police.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
