Mayfield, Ky.–On Dec. 31, 2021 at approximately 11:20 a.m. CST, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team was requested to investigate a trooper-involved shooting that occurred in Graves County.
KSP Critical Incident Response Team has conducted all necessary interviews of vital witnesses and troopers involved. At this time, KSP is able to release findings from the preliminary investigation, which reveals that KSP Post 1 dispatch was notified of an armed robbery in Mayfield on Dec. 31, 2021, at approximately 11:20 a.m. CST. Glasgow Police Department, which was in the area to assist local agencies with the aftermath of the recent December tornadoes and severe weather system, initially responded to the incident and became engaged in a vehicle pursuit where shots were fired at officers. Upon Glasgow Police Department losing sight of the vehicle the pursuit was terminated.
A short time later, KSP Trooper William Propes located a vehicle matching the description from the armed robbery and a second pursuit began. The driver of the fleeing vehicle has been identified as James A. Hawks, 25-year-old male, of Dresden, TN. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as Isaiah P. Bentley, a 26-year-old male from Lexington, KY, fired shots at troopers during the pursuit. Trooper Propes discharged his agency-issued firearm striking Mr. Bentley. At that time, the subject vehicle stopped and the pursuit ended without further incident.
Mr. Bentley was transported by Mayfield-Graves County EMS to Baptist Hospital in Paducah where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, released and transported to the McCracken County Jail; he has been charged with attempted murder of a police officer and robbery 1st degree. Mr. Hawks was also arrested and transported to the McCracken County Jail; he has been charged with robbery 1st degree. KSP Critical Incident Response Team’s investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
In accordance with KSP policies and procedures, Trooper Propes has been placed on administrative leave. He is a 7 year veteran of the agency assigned to patrol at Post 1.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local 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 standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
Original Release Below:
MAYFIELD, KY. (January 3, 2022) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team is investigating a trooper-involved shooting that occurred at approximately 11:20 am CST on Friday, Dec. 31 in Graves County.
KSP Post 1 dispatch was notified of an armed robbery in Mayfield. Glasgow Police Department initially responded to the incident and became engaged in a vehicle pursuit where shots were fired at officers. Upon Glasgow Police Department losing sight of the vehicle the pursuit was terminated. A short time later, KSP troopers located a vehicle matching the description from the armed robbery and a second pursuit began. Shots were fired from the vehicle at KSP, at which time a trooper discharged an agency-issued firearm, striking a subject located inside of the vehicle and ending the pursuit.
A male subject was transported by Mayfield-Graves County EMS to Baptist Hospital in Paducah where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, released and transported to the McCracken County Jail. A second subject was also arrested and transported to McCracken County Jail. KSP Critical Incident Response Team’s investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local 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 standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.