Former police officer shoots himself in the head

Former London Police Det. Sgt. Russell Baker, 38, is in serious but stable condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center after shooting himself in the head Saturday night.

According to Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, public affairs officer for the department, deputies were called to a wooded area off of Marsh Branch Road in Keavy about 5:25 p.m., when a friend of Baker told police he had received a text message from Baker indicating he was going to try to take his own life.

Sheriff John Root, Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore and other deputies responded to the scene. Acciardo said they arrived too late to stop Baker but did hear the gunshot.

Officers found Baker in the woods with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Baker was airlifted from the scene to UK.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Det. Tommy Johnston is leading the investigation.