In the early morning hours of November 14, 2012, a dedicated public servant, 31-year-old Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Carl Anthony Rakes, a White male, was tragically killed in the line of duty. The fatal encounter occurred around 2:00 a.m. on U.S. 68 near Lebanon, Kentucky, when Deputy Rakes, a six-year veteran of the sheriff's office, stopped to investigate a car that was stationary in the roadway.
As he approached the vehicle, the driver, without warning, opened fire with a small caliber handgun, striking the deputy. Despite being wounded, Deputy Rakes was able to return fire and radio dispatch to report the shooting before the suspect fled the scene. He was rushed to Spring View Hospital in Lebanon where he succumbed to his injuries during surgery. An autopsy later revealed he had sustained two gunshot wounds.
The man responsible for this senseless act was identified as 49-year-old Dewayne Shipp of Breckinridge County. Earlier that night, Shipp's mother had reported to authorities that her son had stolen her car, was armed, and was heading to the home of his ex-wife and daughter. Following the shooting of Deputy Rakes, a search for the suspect and the vehicle, a 2007 Kia, was initiated. Shipp was apprehended a short time later in Campbellsville by the Kentucky State Police and Campbellsville Police Department. He was taken into custody and charged with murder. It was discovered that Shipp had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg.
The community and fellow law enforcement officers mourned the loss of Deputy Rakes, who was remembered as a quiet and well-liked officer who had dreamed of a career in law enforcement since he was young. Before his six years with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, he had served for two years with the Lebanon Police Department. In January 2014, Dewayne Shipp was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Deputy Rakes and was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years.
