Knox deputy cleared of wrong-doing in fatal shoooting

A Knox County Deputy has been officially cleared by the Grand Jury after fatally shooting a Flat Lick man during an altercation on June 29.

“The State Police investigated the incident,” said Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer Shane Jacobs. “We presented all of our findings and evidence to the Knox County Grand Jury and they found no true bill against the officer.”

The dismissal was returned from the Grand Jury Monday, Aug. 29.

On the night of the incident, Deputy Mikey Ashurst, along with Knox County Constable Brandon Bolton, responded to a call regarding a reported child abduction on Moore Creek Road by an intoxicated individual. Deputy Ashurst and Constable Bolton located Jessie J. Mills, 30, walking in the center of the road with a two-year-old child. Mills refused to comply when authorities ordered him to release the child and began to charge at the deputy and constable. Deputy Ashurst, following protocol, gave Mills a verbal warning to stop. When Mills refused, the deputy deployed a Taser, but it was not effective, leading Deputy Ashurst to use lethal force by shooting Mills.

“We immediately contacted KSP and they did a thorough, independent investigation,” said Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith.

Following the incident, Deputy Ashurst was placed on temporary administrative leave and was cleared to return to work July 17 after the initial investigation.

“Deputy Ashurst has been a police officer for over 6 years and has been with the Sheriff’s Department for almost 2 years now,” said Sheriff Smith. “He is a graduate of Kentucky Criminal Justice Training Academy and is a Kentucky Police Officer Professional Standards certified police officer. He is also up to date on all required annual training.

He has a clean record with our office.”