Officer Scotty Hamilton Killer Identified And On-The-Run

John Russell Hall has been named as the subject of a manhunt over the murder of Pikeville Police officer Scotty Hamilton.

Hall, 55, is described as standing 5’8″ tall with green eyes and brown hair. He could be driving a 1990 Chevy Blazer.

Hall shot Officer Scotty Hamilton during patrol near a Pike County residence. Kentucky State Police say Hamilton and State Trooper Matt Martin encountered a suspicious vehicle on Hurricane Creek and searched the area for possible subjects on foot.

During the search, the two officers were separated and Trooper Martin heard gunshots.

Martin found Hamilton with a fatal gunshot wound. source

Officer Scotty Hamilton was a 12-year veteran and joined the Pikeville Police Department in 2006.

The Kentucky State Police released the following statement on the fatal incident:

Pikeville Police Officer Shot to Death

Pikeville, Ky. (March 14, 2018) – An officer with Pikeville Police Department was shot to death late Tuesday evening in Pike County. Officer Scotty Hamilton and Trooper Matt Martin were conducting a criminal patrol on Hurricane Creek when they encountered a suspicious vehicle in the area.
Officers spoke with the occupants of a vehicle and assessed the area around a nearby residence for possible subjects on foot. While canvasing [sic] the area Officer Hamilton and Trooper Martin were separated. Gunshots were fired a short time later within close proximity to the residence. Trooper Martin located Officer Hamilton who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. Officer Scotty Hamilton was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Pike County Coroner’s Office. The perpetrator was not located at the scene.

Troopers with Kentucky State Police Post 9, KSP Special Response Team, and Pikeville P.D. have been actively searching for possible suspects. Detective Randy Combs with KSP’s Critical Incident Response Team is leading this investigation, along with detectives with KSP Post 9. Additional details will follow when available.