Deputy Sheriff Anthony "Sean" Pursifull

Anthony "Sean" Pursifull

Deputy Sheriff Sean Pursifull was killed when his parked patrol car was intentionally rammed by a suspect fleeing a Kentucky State Police trooper. The two juvenile suspects in the car had just stolen gas from a service station in Baxter and then fled down U.S. 119.

As the occupants fled from the state troopers, the driver crossed the center line and rammed Deputy Pursifull's patrol car, which was stopped near the county line as the pursuit entered Bell County. Deputy Pursifull and his canine partner, King, were both killed.

The two suspects were taken into custody and charged with murder and assault on a service animal. The driver of the vehicle later pleaded guilty to wanton murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Deputy Pursifull is survived by his wife and two children.