Pike County Deputy Dies in Car Accident, Man Charged with Murder

The town of Elkhorn City, Kentucky is mourning the tragic death of 53-year-old Pike County deputy James I. Thacker after he was killed in a car wreck Jan. 23. Now, a 47-year-old man faces criminal charges related to the accident, according to news reports. 

The 47-year-old was driving on U.S. 460 between the Marrowbone and Belcher communities when he apparently lost control of his SUV, crossed the center line and struck Deputy Thacker’s cruiser and another vehicle.Thacker was extricated from the vehicle with the jaws-of-life and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to WSAZ News Channel 3. Police are not saying why the man is charged with murder, although excessive speed was noted as a factor in the accident. 

The policeman was on his way home after serving papers around 9 p.m. last Monday when the accident occurred. Known as “James I,” the deputy was a husband, father of six and grandfather of six. 

Judge Darrel Mullins told WSAZ, “Deputy Thacker was an excellent deputy; he was an asset to law enforcement and to the courts. He’ll be sadly missed.” 

Sheriff Charles “Fuzzy” Keesee added, Thacker “was a man of compassion and duty who would always go the extra mile.” 

WYMT reports Thacker was the first Eastern Kentucky officer to die on the job since 2008, when Bell County Deputy Sean Pursifull and his K-9 dog were killed in a car crash. Officer Down reports five policemen have died in automobile accidents while on duty in the United States this year. 

So far this year, 40 people have died in Kentucky automobile accidents. This is 11 more than died in January last year. 

Our Lexington automobile accident attorneys extend our condolences to the family of Officer Thacker and to all families who have suffered a loss in an accident on our Kentucky highways this year.