Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-AAF87392- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Investigator Brandon Heath Thacker is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brandon Heath Thacker's cause is highlighted.
How Brandon Heath Thacker Compares
Offender Outcome
Guilty of manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brandon Heath Thacker is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brandon Heath Thacker was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control are honored on badge.nw.
