Knox Co. deputy suspended from duty pending criminal complaint investigation

Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Claude Hudson has been suspended from duty while Kentucky State Police investigate a criminal complaint filed against him.

“We received notification on December 30 that a criminal complaint from Jackson County had been filed against Deputy Hudson. It is being investigated by Kentucky State Police,” confirmed Sheriff Mike Smith. “Hudson was immediately placed on suspension from duty and will remain that way until the outcome of the investigation.”

Smith could not give an estimated timeframe as to when the investigation will close, but said, “Hopefully as quickly as possible.”

Smith could not give any further details surrounding the investigation.

The investigation is being conducted by Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond.

Hudson is a Jackson County resident.

Officials at the Jackson County Court Clerk’s Office said no criminal charges had been filed.

Hudson was one of two deputies shot in June 2013 as they attempted to serve an indictment warrant.

Hudson and Deputy Keith “Buster” Liford had gone to a residence in the Trosper community in eastern Knox County to serve a warrant on 50-year-old John W. Bays, when the suspect began shooting at them.

Hudson was struck once, and Liford was shot multiple times.

The deputies returned fire, hitting and killing Bays.

The round that struck Hudson, hit his vest and badge but did not penetrate the skin.