During his shift, Hudson began feeling sick but continued working, said Chief Brian Laird during a Friday press conference. As his shift continued, Hudson felt worse, and he went home early.
The sergeant finally went to the hospital Aug. 11, and he died Aug. 12. Laird said Hudson suffered from an underlying cardiac condition, which was aggravated when he responded to the shooting. His passing has been classified as a line-of-duty death.
“Despite not feeling good, Ryan did not want to let his brothers and sisters down," said Laird. "He did his duty, and he came to work putting service above self, just as he always did.”
Hudson joined the department as a patrol officer in February 2015, and he served as a training officer and member of the department's SWAT unit. He had been an elementary school D.A.R.E. instructor, too.
"Ryan also dedicated his time to being a member of our honor guard, something he was very passionate about, often assisting with funerals for fallen officers," said Laird. "For the past several years, Ryan has diligently served this community as a detective, and in May of this year, he was promoted to sergeant.”
The Paducah Police Support Fund, an organization dedicated to helping officers and their families in times of crisis, has created an account for donations to go directly to Hudson’s widow and children.
"(Hudson's) absence will be profoundly felt both within our department and throughout the community he faithfully served," the agency stated on social media.
