'It's devastating': Search for answers intensifies in theft, vandalism at fallen Bardstown police officer's memorial
The search for answers intensified three weeks after someone vandalized and stole part of a fallen police officer's memorial.
Trampled flags and empty beer cans are all that's left of the memorial site to honor former Bardstown police officer Jason Ellis at Exit 34 of the Bluegrass Parkway.
That's where officer Ellis was gunned down in 2013 when he got out of his car to move a tree limb blocking the exit. Nine years later, the Nelson County Sheriff still doesn't know who murdered him or why.
"You have a case that is unsolved and another tragic event of vandalism, theft happens to a memorial of their loved one on the side of the road. It's devastating," Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa said.
Sometime between Oct. 9-13, someone damaged the memorial site and stole a blue metal flag bearing Officer Ellis' name and End Of Watch date.
Since then, the Nelson County Sheriff's Office has received a tip about a possible suspect. A witness reported seeing a white man in a red or red-orange S10 Chevy pickup truck around the time the incident took place.
Whether the person who did it is connected to Ellis' death or is just someone looking to do some damage, Pineiroa told 비바카지노 Viva they won't get away with it forever.
"Whoever did it, your day's coming," he said. "It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but you can mark my words: Your day's coming."
He said he is working with local business owners to replace the flag and is considering installing security cameras at the memorial.
Pineiroa has increased the reward again, now offering $3,000 for any information that leads to an arrest.
Anyone who knows who is responsible for the theft and vandalism is asked to call the sheriff's office at 502-348-1840.