Pike County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch: Monday, January 23, 2012
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 71
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: January 23, 2012
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Special Deputy James Thacker was killed in an automobile accident on U.S. 460, just past Marrowbone Creek Road, at approximately 9:00 pm.
He was en route to Elkhorn City to serve civil papers towards the end of his shift when a speeding SUV crossed the center line and struck his patrol car head-on. The SUV then collided with another vehicle. Deputy Thacker succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle that caused the crash was charged with murder.
Deputy Thacker had served with the Pike County Sheriff's Department for one year and had previously served as an elected county constable for four years.