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Brandon Heath Thacker
Incident
Investigator Brandon Thacker was shot and killed as he was driving to an undercover assignment with three other agents on the Western Kentucky Parkway near Eddyville. All of the agents were in a caravan of separate vehicles, with Investigator Thacker in the last vehicle. He radioed to the other agents that a vehicle was driving erratically, then moments later radioed that he had been shot. The agent in front of him looked in her rearview mirror and saw his vehicle swerve and then turned around to help him. The other two agents chased the vehicle, which was driving erratically, and arrested the driver. The suspect was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter. Investigator Thacker was a United States Army Persian Gulf veteran and had served with the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for four years. He is survived by his wife, 18-month-old daughter, parents, and two brothers. He is buried in the Richmond Cemetary in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, 18-month-old daughter, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Investigator Thacker gave the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Frankfort community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Brandon Heath Thacker served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Brandon is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Brandon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Brandon is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brandon was 27. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Brandon had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Brandon was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brandon had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brandon was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brandon had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has 2 officers remembered here, Brandon among them.
Where
Military Service
Brandon Heath Thacker served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Brandon Heath Thacker’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control are honored on badge.nw.
