Branscum seeks to name highway in honor of Josh Phipps

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Josh Branscum, state representative for District 83 in Kentucky, filed a resolution last week seeking to designate US Route 127 in Russell Springs as “Deputy Sheriff Joshua Phipps Memorial Highway” in honor of the fallen deputy.
Joshua Phipps was an Adair County native who served as a deputy at the Russell County Sheriff’s Department. He was shot and killed last September while officers pursued a fleeing suspect in Russell Springs. Kentucky State Police’s ongoing investigation states that KSP Trooper Jake Smith from Post 15 conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in Russell Springs who then drove off during the interaction with Trooper Smith. Smith pursued the vehicle to Bluebird Drive where the operator of the vehicle fired a handgun toward Smith. After shots were fired, other officers met Smith for backup including Deputy Phipps.
In searching for the vehicle operator-turned-shooter, who was later identified as Joshua George Arnold, Phipps entered a camper. Officers entered the same camper after hearing gunfire from inside. It was there that they found Phipps and Arnold with life-threatening injuries. Both men were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Before his time at the Russell County Sheriff’s Department, Phipps wore a badge with the Louisville Metro Police Department.
“Deputy Sheriff Joshua Phipps was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community and its citizens,” said Rep. Branscum. “It was an honor to file the joint resolution designating the ‘Deputy Sheriff Joshua Phipps Memorial Highway’ in Russell County to commemorate his legacy and sacrifice.”
If Branscum’s resolution passes, the entirety of Highway 127 in Russell County will be designated in remembrance of Deputy Phipps.

By Kenley Godby
kenley@adairvoice.com

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