The FBI is investigating after dashboard camera footage (seen below) surfaced showing Hardin County deputies and a Kentucky State Police trooper beating a suspect at the end of a high-speed pursuit.
The incident occurred on Hwy 31-W in West Point during the early morning hours of February 6, 2021, based on the time stamp on the video, as Joshua Lee Tyler, 29, of Shepherdsville, fled Hardin County deputies and state police after an unidentified trooper attempted to stop Tyler for faulty equipment.
The chase, which wound through yards and at times in the wrong direction on roadways, ends in the middle of Hwy 31-W, with Tyler, a convicted felon, exiting the car with his hands up and his knees on the ground. A Hardin County deputy then pulls Tyler by one of his arms to the ground.
The deputy, positioned on top of Tyler, then, it appears, shoves Tyler’s head into the pavement before punching him on the top of his head twice; then again on the side of his face.
After appearing to being handcuffed (although that is difficult to determine) and while still on the ground, another Hardin County deputy and state trooper begin repeatedly punching and kicking the suspect on his head and upper body.
Tyler’s family, according to media reports, was told there was no video of the incident. The video was posted on Facebook by Tyler’s sister, Katie Tyler, on Wednesday. She, according to media reports, received the video from Joshua Tyler’s attorney.
The deputy whose name is on the arrest citation, Rusty Johnson, no longer works for the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, WDRB.com reports.
The other participants have not been identified by law enforcement.
The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement to media outlets on the incident:
“On February 5, 2021 Kentucky State Police attempted a traffic stop on Mr. Tyler. When the Trooper activated his emergency equipment, Mr. Tyler fled. At the request of KSP, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist. After a lengthy pursuit through four cities, Mr. Tyler was stopped on US31W in West Point, Kentucky. Upon exiting the vehicle Mr. Tyler was in possession of a knife. When Mr. Tyler was forced to the ground the suspect had his arms and weapon under him and refused to comply with officer’s commands to give them his hands. Officers only used the amount of force necessary to gain compliance.”
Joshua Tyler’s father, Joseph Tyler, told WDRB.com if his son had a knife it was likely a pocket knife he uses when working as an electrician. While charged with 28 counts, Joshua Tyler was not charged with a weapons count.
He pled guilty in October 2022 to first-degree wanton endangerment and fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDC). Both convictions are enhanced by a second-degree persistent felony offender finding.
Joshua Tyler has five previous felony convictions, including first-degree unlawful confinement, possession of a controlled substance (heroin), first-degree wanton endangerment, and intimidating a participant in the legal process.
His initial parole eligibility date is in October 2024, according to the KDC, but if not granted parole, he could serve another nine years in prison.
FBI officials released the following statement regarding its investigation:
“FBI Louisville is aware of the video and is evaluating the facts and circumstances of this incident. The FBI opens hundreds of civil rights cases each year, including investigations into color of law violations. This is a responsibility FBI Louisville takes seriously, and we will address this matter accordingly.”
Find the graphic video by clicking here.
(Headline photo: Still photo of video showing incident, Joshua Lee Tyler’s original booking photo)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
