Frankfort, Ky. — The Frankfort community is grappling with shock and sadness after 56‑year‑old Bryan Radford of Hopkinsville was killed Saturday evening in an officer‑involved shooting, according to multiple law enforcement sources. The Kentucky State Police are now in charge of the investigation.
It was just before 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 when Frankfort police officers and deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office rushed to a Ridgeview Drive home after a report of shots fired. Neighbors said sirens and flashing lights filled the usually quiet neighborhood as first responders pulled up to the scene.
When officers arrived, they encountered Radford near the house. According to the Kentucky State Police, Radford initially spoke with officers but then went back inside the residence. Moments later he came back out holding a handgun. That’s when officers opened fire, striking him.
Emergency crews immediately tried to give Radford first aid at the scene, but he died from his injuries before he could be taken to a hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured. At this stage, authorities have not said if Radford fired his weapon or pointed it at officers.
Kentucky State Police’s Critical Incident Response Team was called in to lead the follow‑up investigation. This team handles officer‑involved shootings in the state to ensure the facts are gathered and reviewed thoroughly. Troopers say they won’t release all details until interviews with witnesses and other investigative steps are complete.
Friends and family described Radford as a quiet man who cared deeply about his loved ones. In online tributes, people have shared memories of his laughter, his stories, and the simple moments that defined his life. Many in Hopkinsville and Frankfort are trying to make sense of how a routine evening turned into such a tragedy.
In the hours after the shooting, neighbors said they were shaken. One resident, who asked not to be named, said she heard the call over the scanner and rushed outside, hoping it wasn’t what it sounded like. “You never expect something like this right here,” she said. “It’s just so sad.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information or video related to the incident to contact Kentucky State Police. The community remains in a somber mood, hoping for answers and comfort for Radford’s family and friends.
