Wanted felon accused of trying to run over police officer

By
Tom Kenny
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Tommy Shepherd/Floyd County Detention Center

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WTVQ) – A man described by Prestonsburg Police as “a career criminal” is in trouble again, accused of trying to run down a police officer during an arrest attempt following a car chase.

According to a post on Facebook from Prestonsburg Police, on Thursday, Tommy Shepherd was a passenger in a car police that ran from police during an attempted traffic stop.

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Police say the car was driven by Martin Shepherd, of David.  They say the car sped through downtown Prestonsburg at a high rate of speed and crossed into the wrong lane of traffic.

Investigators say Martin Shepherd eventually pulled over and tried to get out of the car.  They say that’s when passenger Tommy Shepherd jumped into the driver’s seat, accelerated and tried to hit Patrolman Zach Neice with the car.

Police say the car hit Patrolman Neice’s police car and took off on KY 850 at David.  They say once Tommy Shepherd reached a home at Open Fork, he got out of the car and tried to run from police, but was taken into custody by Patrolman Jake Chaffins.  Police say Shepherd fought officers during his arrest.

Police say prior to the chase and eventual arrest, investigators received information that Tommy Shepherd was in Prestonsburg, was a wanted felon who had a gun, a large quantity of drugs and made statements he was “not going back to jail.”

Police say Shepherd was taken to the Floyd County Detention Center on nearly a dozen charges:

Execution of felony warrants of arrest – x4
Attempted Murder of a Police Officer
Assault 3rd Degree – Police Officer
Wanton Endangerment of a Police Officer – x3
Fleeing/Evading Police 1st Degree on foot and vehicle
Possession of Methamphetamine
Criminal Mischief 1st Degree
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Persistent Felony Offender 1st
Resisting Arrest
Criminal Littering
The case remains under investigation by Patrolman Brad Caldwell and Captain Randy G. Woods.

 

 

 

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Tom Kenny
Tom Kenny joined ABC 36 News in June of 2001 as a General Assignment Reporter. A native of Peoria, Illinois, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Western Illinois University. He currently anchors ABC 36 News at 5pm, 6pm and 11pm. Tom has more than three decades of experience in broadcast journalism. He is the only broadcast journalist in Lexington television history to be honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award. Tom was recognized for reporting on a story that gave a rare glimpse inside the secretive world of the Federal Witness Protection Program. He has won an Emmy Award for anchoring and another for investigative reporting, exposing the deceit and potential danger of online diploma mills. Tom has ten other Emmy nominations to his credit for investigative and feature reporting. He has won Associated Press Awards for reporting and anchoring. He has won two Addy Awards for excellence in promotional writing. Tom was the first broadcast journalist in Lexington TV history to be awarded the Silver Circle Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It is one of the highest honors given by NATAS. It recognizes television professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry for 25-years or more. Tom was honored for more than his longevity, he was recognized for making an enduring contribution to the vitality of the television industry and for setting high standards of achievement. He was also recognized for giving back to the community as a mentor, educator and volunteer. Tom also has network broadcast experience in radio and television having worked as a sports reporter for ESPN, Sportschannel, NBC Sports and the Breeders’ Cup. He was also the studio host and halftime producer for CBS Radio Sports’ College Football Game of the Week and covered the NFL for One-On-One Radio Sports. Prior to joining WTVQ-TV, Tom was Vice-President of the Houston Astros Minor League baseball team in Lexington. He was part of the original management team that brought professional baseball back to the Bluegrass after a nearly 50-year absence. Tom has lived in Lexington since 1984. In that time, he has been heavily involved with dozens of charity and civic groups, with a special emphasis on helping Veterans. He can be reached at tkenny@wtvq.com. You can also follow Tom on Facebook www.facebook.com/TomKennyABC and Twitter @TomKennyNews. Just click on the links at the top of the page.