By Cory McCauley, Mountain News, wymt
5:30 p.m. Update:
There is still an active search for those responsible for Officer Hamilton’s shooting.
Hurricane Creek Road remains closed as Kentucky State Police and special response teams search the area. Officials are going door to door talking to those who live in the area.
“[We] have utilized some of the Kentucky State Police helicopter and aircraft equipment. I think as far as other agencies, I can’t advise what they may have been using,” said Jody Sims, KSP spokesperson.
After serving with the Pikeville Police Department for 12 years, many in the Pikeville and surrounding communities will miss him.
Many people said Hamilton was courageous, smart and dedicated.
Alex Cassel, who worked with Hamilton, said Hamilton was “very outgoing, very loving, he cared about our community and loved his family.”
(Learn More. Courtesy of WJHL and YouTube)
4:15 p.m. Update:
Funeral arrangements for Officer Scotty Hamilton have been released.
J.W. Call and Son Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Two visitations will be held Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 at the East Kentucky Expo Center at 5 p.m. on Friday and from Noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
The funeral service is set for Sunday, March 18 at 1 p.m. at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
Hamilton will be buried at the Pikeville City Cemetery.
Any memorial contributions can be made to the Brynlee Hamilton Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Trust Bank, P.O. Box 2947, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502.
4:00 p.m. Update:
Kentucky State Police now say there were possibly three gunshots fired at Pikeville Officer Scotty Hamilton.
However, KSP says they do not know what kind of gun was used in the murder.
As the news sinks in of Officer Hamilton’s death, many in Pikeville and the surrounding communities are heartbroken.
Everyone from first responders to family and friends say Officer Hamilton will be greatly missed.
(Pikeville mayor announces officer’s death, murder investigation, requests anyone with information to please contact the Pikeville Police Department or the Kentucky State Police. Courtesy of EKB-TV and YouTube. Posted on Mar 14, 2018)
During Wednesday’s processional WYMT talked with some family members who told us Officer Hamilton was a family man who enjoyed playing softball and was very dedicated to his community.
Officer Hamilton served with the Pikeville Police Department for 12 years.
Philip Elswick who is the City Manager of City of Pikeville said:
“Certainly, I mean, officer Hamilton was a great officer and a great person and anybody that knew him loved him and it will certainly take our community to recover from this, and he will be very missed by his fellow officers.”
The community is currently coming together to honor Officer Hamilton in many ways, including with a candlelight vigil on Thursday, March 15th at 8 p.m. outside the East Kentucky Expo Center at the Billy Johnson Memorial Stage.
1:45 p.m. Update:
Kentucky State Police spokesman Jody Sims held a news conference addressing the shooting of Pikeville Officer Scotty Hamilton.
The area Hamilton was patrolling was a high drug-trafficking area.
Sims could not confirm how many gunshot wounds Hamilton received, but did say Hamilton was shot once in the head.
Officials say there may not be a witness to the shooting.
Police are still searching for the suspect or suspects involved. So far there is no description of the person or people responsible.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made this statement about the shooting:
(U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor in tribute of Pikeville Police Department Officer Scotty Hamilton. Courtesy of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and YouTube. Posted on Mar 14, 2018)
“Hearts are heavy in Pikeville, Kentucky this morning. Last night, Officer Scotty Hamilton, a 12-year veteran of the Pikeville Police Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty.”
“The investigation is ongoing. My Kentucky staff and I are monitoring the situation closely. For now, our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues at the Pikeville Police Department.”
“Officer Hamilton leaves behind a wife, a young daughter, and a community that is safer for his service.”
12:35 p.m. Update:
Kentucky State Police released more information about what happened to Pikeville Police Officer Scotty Hamilton.
Officer Hamilton and Trooper Matt Martin were on criminal patrol on Hurricane Creek when they saw a suspicious vehicle.
The officers spoke with the people in the vehicle and checked the area around a nearby building when the two were separated.
The release states gunshots were fired a short time later near the building. Trooper Martin found Officer Hamilton with a fatal gunshot wound.
Hamilton was pronounced dead by the Pike County Coroner’s Office.
The shooter is still on the loose.
12:15 p.m. Update:
We’re being told Officer Hamilton’s body has been released from the state medical examiners office and is on the way back to Eastern Kentucky.
A police escort will bring his body back to Pikeville in the next 30 minutes.
We hope to carry the procession live on WYMT, www.wymt.com and the WYMT Facebook page as they come into the city on U.S. 23.
10:30 a.m. Update:
Officials say the suspect accused of shooting and killing Pikeville Police officer Scotty Hamilton is still on the loose.
Troopers arrested four people at the scene on unrelated charges. The search for the suspect is still underway.
Original Story:
Officials tell WYMT a Pikeville city police officer is dead following a shooting.
It happened around 11:30 Tuesday night.
We’re told Pikeville Police officer Scotty Hamilton and Kentucky State Police responded to the Hurricane Creek area of Pike County to investigate a crime.
We’re told one suspect is in custody and troopers are using drones to search for another one.
Critical incident response teams are also coming to assist with the investigation. No word on the identity or gender of the suspects.
Kentucky State Police is now in charge of the investigation.
Hamilton had been with the department since 2006. He leaves behind a wife and a little girl.
Officials are not releasing any other details this time.
Original post http://www.wymt.com/content/news/Officials-Pikeville-city-police-officer-dies-following-shooting-476777893.html
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pikeville Police Officer Scotty Hamilton, both blood and blue. Our condolences to the Pikeville Police Department and the Kentucky State Police. Rest peacefully Sir. You life matters.
