Stanford Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch: Sunday, January 20, 1991
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 554
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 20, 1991
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Gary Kidwell was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of John Street and Goshen Road at 11:15 pm.
The suspect was known to Patrolman Kidwell to have several drinking-related arrests. As Patrolman Kidwell approached the car, the suspect shot him with a .357 caliber handgun. The man fled but was apprehended after a shootout with a neighboring agency.
The man was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2003, in 2012, and in 2020.
Patrolman Kidwell had served with the Stanford Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, parents, two brothers, five sisters, and six grandchildren.