On Monday, June 12, at approximately 3:14 p.m. EST, the Kentucky State Police Post was contacted by Carter County 911 emergency dispatch center stating an Olive Hill Police Department (OHPD) officer had been involved in a shooting. The officer was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The officer has now been released from the hospital.
The initial investigation revealed the shots were fired from a 2008 White Pontiac Torrent with damage to the rear fender being operated from Wesley Cornell, 30, of Vanceburg, KY. The rounds fired struck the officer’s cruiser and he sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the shrapnel. Troopers from Post 14 Ashland and Post 8 Morehead worked in conjunction with a multitude of agencies and departments to locate the suspect.
At approximately 8:00 p.m. EST law enforcement located the vehicle and suspect on Laurel Creek Road in Lewis County. The KSP Aircraft section and KSP Special Response Team were activated to help locate and apprehend the subject. After a lengthy standoff, the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Cornell was taken to the Carter County Detention Center and charged with:
Murder – Police Officer (Attempt)
Wanton Endangerment – 1st Degree – Police Officer
The incident remains an open and ongoing investigation by KSP.
