Memorial Day will be even more poignant for the Bardstown Police Department and the family of slain Officer Jason Ellis.
This Sunday, it will be exactly one year since Officer Ellis was murdered when he got out of his police cruiser on the Bluegrass Parkway to remove some debris in the road. That’s when someone opened fire and killed him. It was about 3:00 in the morning on May 25th. Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin says the department continues to help Ellis’ family cope with the loss. “Anything they need we are there for them.”
Chief McCubbin says he remembers the incident like it was yesterday. The scene was quiet when he arrived and there was a full moon that illuminated the area. He hoped there had been some sort of mistake and that Officer Ellis was only injured. That hope quickly faded when he saw his comrade. McCubbin wept as he knelt by Ellis’ side, a moment he said will live with him forever.
As of now the crime remains unsolved. Chief McCubbin says the fact that no arrests have been made makes the upcoming anniversary of Ellis’ murder even more difficult to face. A reward of more than $200 thousand dollars has been offered to anyone who can help solve this case and put the person or persons responsible behind bars.