A woman has been arrested in the shooting death of a Russell County deputy in September 2024.
Kentucky State Police arrested 38-year-old Linda M. Ashbrook, of Russell Springs, on Thursday and charged her with complicity to murder, felony wanton endangerment, hindering prosecution, and persistent felony offender in the death of 38-year-old Deputy Joshua Phipps.
As K105 previously reported, the preliminary findings in the September 16, 2024, incident indicate that Trooper Jake Smith attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the Russell Springs community. Initially, the subject’s vehicle came to a stop, but during the interaction, the subject fled the stop, resulting in a pursuit, state police said.
Smith pursued the vehicle for a short distance until it stopped behind a residence on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs.
The driver of the vehicle, 41-year-old Joshua George Arnold, immediately exited the vehicle and fired a handgun multiple times in the direction of Smith before fleeing on foot.
Multiple officers responded to the scene to assist, including Phipps.
While officers searched the area for Arnold, Phipps entered a camper trailer, according to state police.
“Moments later, officers on scene heard multiple gunshots fired from inside the trailer. Troopers responded to the camper trailer and observed Arnold and Phipps had both suffered life-threatening injuries from gunshot wounds,” according to state police.
Both Phipps and Arnold were later pronounced deceased at Russell County Hospital.
(Photo l-r: Russell Co. Deputy Joshua Phipps, Linda M. Ashbrook)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
