Community reaction after Elsmere hires former deputy who shot and killed teenager in 2014

ELSMERE, Kentucky – The Elsmere Police Department’s Facebook post welcoming former Boone County Deputy Tyler Brockman as their new officer received hundreds of comments from residents angry that the police department hired a man who shot and killed a teenager while on duty.

“Please join the City of Elsmere in congratulating our newest officer, Tyler Brockman! Officer Brockman was sworn in this morning by Mayor Lenhof,” Elsmere police said before detailing Brockman’s work, which includes his time with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the Villa Hills Police Department.

As a Boone County deputy, Brockman shot and killed teenager Samantha Ramsey in 2014 as she tried to drive away from an outdoor party.

Our previous reporting indicates that Brockman had said he was afraid Ramsey would run him over and that she was worried she might hit people walking by on the side of the road. An evidentiary report revealed that Ramsey was drunk, had consumed marijuana and ran over Brockman’s foot before fatally shooting her.

A grand jury declined to indict Brockman, who fired four point-blank shots through Ramsey’s windshield after he jumped onto the hood of her car, but her family accepted a $3.5 million settlement with the county that included a requirement that officers wear body cameras.

Samantha Ramsey’s family settles $3.5 million

According to Elsmere’s post, Brockman remained with the sheriff’s office until 2019.

Several people commented on Elsmere’s post, calling Brockman a “murderer” and questioning whether there was any oversight in the hiring process.

“Such a disgrace for this city. This is a slap in the face for everyone,” one person said.

“Are you listening to your citizens?” commented another person.

We called Elsmere Police Chief Russell Wood, who declined to comment. When he announced the hiring to the City Council, he said he was proud to have the department fully staffed.

During that meeting, Mayor Marty Lenhof praised Wood for his ability to hire qualified candidates for the department.

“The position could have been filled a long time ago, but you weren’t a good fit for the city,” he said. “You weren’t a good fit for the boss, and I want to thank you for sticking with it.”