Man Found Guilty in Kentucky Chief's Slaying

It is unfortunate that Chief Lacy was murdered, but I think it serves as a reminder to us all how bad tactics, familiarity and complacency can end up killing us. I cannot help but wonder if Lacy had not committed any one of those three fatal errors that contributed to his death if he would be alive today.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the family of the suspect.

In 1969 I was a rookie police officer in Washington, D.C. walking a footbeat. I arrested a person for larceny and walked him to a call box about two city blocks away, back in those days there were no two way communication. I got to the call box and requested a wagon be sent for one arrest. I told the subject the wagon was on it's way and to stay there and wait for it. He stayed right there and awaited the wagon while I walked back to the station. Times have changed, boy have they changed. You have to look at everyone as a potential treat to your life regardless if it's a big city or small town country enviroment.

I'm a retired cop (1975-1996) and I never trusted anyone I locked up. I'm very, very sorry for this Officer's death, but leaving a loaded gun on the front seat, handcuffing a strung out junkie in front and putting him in the backseat alone with the divider screen open while you turned your back to look for evidence is sheer, utter stupidity. Undoubtedly they will make him a hero, and eulogize what a great guy he was, and how kind he was. No disrespect intended, but Iit's his own fault he's dead, and I wouldn't want him for my partner.

Nice guys finish last.

My sincere sympathies to his family, and may he rest in peace.

I agree with the previous poster "Mike' to SOME degree... Nice guys finish last, however obviously there are ways you can still be "Nice & Professional" while maintaining strong tactics. Your safety is first! You can be firm/stern while still being "friendly & profeesional". I've had many arrestees apologize and thanking me for not treating them like garbage as other officers have.

Keith, I agree with you. as the spouse of a LEO in a relatively smaller town, we are constantly stopped in the streets by someone my husband has arrested in the past. He shakes their hand as he would any other person. When I ask who they are he'll say some ol' boy I arrested back in ___ whatever time it was. It just proves to me that he treated them with respect as they were booked on whatever charge and he can still hold his head high that he has professionalism in his profession. It's unfortunate that this incident happened and it is evident that he may have been complacent which may have led to his death. But I believe we are ALL guilty of being complacent at one time or another.

All Gave Some and Some Gave All........My heartfelt sympathies to the family of a fallen officer.