Kentucky State Police has released findings concerning the second of two fatal officer-involved shootings in fewer than five days in Elizabethtown.
The shooting took place Saturday morning, December 11, at approximately 9:20 in the 200 block Wingfield Court, behind Abound Credit Union just off Ring Road. Shot and killed by Elizabethtown Officer Detrick Cooper, a six-year veteran, was 29-year-old Christopher Sterusky, of Radcliff.
“KSP has conducted all necessary interviews of vital witness and officers involved,” KSP Post 4 Public Affairs Officer Scotty Sharp said in a press release.
Sharp said the preliminary investigation showed Cooper was assisting other officers on a call for service on Wingfield Court. As he prepared to leave the scene, “Cooper observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by (one) individual … and proceeded to investigate with no other officers accompanying him,” according to Sharp.
When Cooper made contact with Sterusky, and as the officer “interacted with Sterusky outside his vehicle,” while attempting to verify his identity, Sharp said, “Sterusky became uncooperative and attempted to get back into his vehicle.”
A physical altercation then ensued, with Sterusky brandishing a knife and attempting to stab Cooper. Cooper responded by shooting Sterusky.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hardin County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy was performed at the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville.
Cooper was treated for non-life threatening injuries at Baptist Health Hardin.
In accordance with the Elizabethtown Police Department’s policies, Cooper was placed on administrative leave for two weeks.
The first of the two Elizabethtown PD officer-involved shootings occurred on the evening of December 7 on Pleasant View Drive. In that shooting, a domestic violence suspect, 34-year-old Gary McCormick, of Elizabethtown, took control of EPD Sgt. Chris Lewis’ taser and tried to shoot the officer with the weapon. Lewis, though, fatally shot McCormick.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
