Mercer County deputy in stable condition after heart attack

MERCER COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Mercer County deputy is out of surgery and stable in the intensive care unit after he had a heart attack during an active shooter drill Saturday.

Sheriff Ernie Kelty says Deputy Bill Cruce dropped to the ground in the middle of the drill.

It was a county wide training exercise therefore first responders were already there to help, and an ambulance was just three minutes away.

The Sheriff says doctors told him the quick response helped significantly.

Kelty described Cruce as dedicated, loyal, and a huge asset.

In photo above from Jim Robertson and Kentucky Law Enforcement magazine, Cruce is seen graduating from the academy.

The Sheriff says he did so after retiring from a full career as a teacher.