CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) – A prayer vigil was held Friday at a high school in Marion, Kentucky where Deputy Rick Coyle has been serving as a resource officer for Crittenden County Schools, in addition to his regular posts with the Sheriff’s Department and Kentucky State Police.
Deputy Coyle, known as ‘Officer Rick’ by his middle and high school students, was shot in the head and chest on Thursday, April 2nd and has been fighting for his life in critical condition at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana since.
A preliminary investigation into Thursday’s incident conducted by the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office explains that Deputy Coyle had been serving emergency guardianship paperwork to a home in Sturgis, KY. Gunfire was exchanged between Coyle and 60-year-old Ronnie Phillips. Phillips died from his injuries, but a female victim was safely removed from the residence.
An outpouring of support has spread throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Chicago. Deputy Coyle is a Southside native and graduated from Brother Rice High School. He served on the Chicago Police Department for 28 years, leading the SWAT team at one point before moving to Kentucky with his wife.
