Prev
Incident
Police Officer Jason Ellis was shot and killed from ambush on an exit ramp off the Bluegrass Parkway shortly before 2:50 a.m.
A citizen called 911 at 2:53 a.m. to report that an officer had been fatally struck by a vehicle. A Kentucky State Police trooper responded to the scene and discovered that Officer Ellis had been shot.
Officer Ellis was en route home following his shift and was in uniform driving a marked vehicle. It is believed that a subject had purposely placed debris in the middle of the roadway with the intent of setting an ambush. As Officer Ellis removed the debris the subject opened fire with a shotgun from a nearby hilltop, shooting him multiple times and killing him instantly.
The subject who shot him remains at large.
Officer Ellis had served with the Bardstown Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, stepfather, and two sisters. Officer Ellis is buried in Highview Cemetery, Chaplin, Kentucky.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, stepfather, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnszmkt9hbf9vs6vh9a1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jason. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ellis gave the Bardstown Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bardstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jason is the only officer of Bardstown Police Department remembered here.
Jason is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jason is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jason is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jason was 33. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Jason had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jason was 33. 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. Jason had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jason was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jason had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bardstown Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Bardstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.