A man wanted for shooting multiple government-owned vehicles and damaging other property in Irvington has been captured.
The Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post at 4:47 a.m. on Thursday that 45-year-old Lester Perks is in custody.
In a press release only a few hours earlier, at 12:50 a.m., the sheriff’s office said that an Irvington police officer was shot at while driving his patrol vehicle near Eva Carman Community Park, at 507 North Second Avenue in north Irvington.
The shooter “ran off on foot and is believed to have a handgun,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Please stay out of the area. Lock your doors and stay indoors. Law enforcement has a heavy presence in the city limits of Irvington,” the sheriff’s office said.
The Breckinridge Co. Sheriff’s Office, in announcing Perks’ capture, did not explicitly say that Perks is suspected of shooting at the Breckinridge Co. deputy but officials did say in an updated Facebook post that the “suspect is in custody.”
UPDATE (8:40 a.m.): Perks was lodged in the Breckinridge County Detention Center at 8:01 a.m., according to the jail website. He has been charged with attempted murder of a police officer, felony wanton endangerment of a police officer, felony wanton endangerment, and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
Perks’ hometown is listed as Radcliff.
Search for armed man who shot vehicles
Police began searching for Perks, who has an arrest record dating back to at least 2006, early Wednesday morning.
Perks is believed to have shot multiple government vehicles in Irvington, including Irvington Fire Department vehicles. He is also accused of damaging private property as well as an ATM.
“Law enforcement is continuing to search for Lester Perks … who has caused significant property damage to vehicles and property in the Irvington area,” Kentucky State Police Post 4 Public Affairs Officer Bryan Washer said on Wednesday.
Perks, according to online records, has been arrested at least 20 times since 2006. He was most recently arrested about three weeks ago, on August 16, 2016, in Hardin County where he was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, menacing and third-degree terroristic threatening.
Many of his arrests over the last 20 years have been for criminal mischief (property damage) and terroristic threatening.
He has had addresses, just in the last five years, in Irvington, Radcliff, Lewisport, and Munfordville.
Breck Co. Schools impacted
“Due to a dangerous situation within the city limits of Irvington, Breckinridge County Schools will be on a two-hour delay today, Wednesday, September 9.”
In a statement on the Breckinridge County Schools Facebook page issued at approximately 5:35 a.m. Wednesday, the district stated that the city of Irvington is under a Shelter in Place order, and the Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office asked everyone within the Irvington city limits to stay inside.
In a text update to parents/guardians/students at 7:12 a.m. Wednesday, Breckinridge County Schools said that classes were canceled for Wednesday due to an ongoing potentially dangerous situation in Irvington.
“As the situation within the limits of Irvington has yet to be resolved and remains potentially dangerous in that area, Breckinridge County Schools will be closed today, Wednesday, September 9. The city of Irvington remains in a Shelter in Place (order) at this time.”
Superintendent Dr. Nick Carter, late Wednesday afternoon, announced that Breckinridge County Schools would be in session on Thursday, with an increased police presence at Irvington Elementary School.
In a text to parents/guardians/students at 4:58 a.m. Thursday, Breckinridge County Schools again announced that classes will be held on Thursday.
“Thanks to the swift and diligent work of our law enforcement officers, who worked through the night, the subject causing the safety concern has been taken into custody, resolving the situation safely,” the school district said.
(Photo: Lester Perks mugshot from arrest in Hardin County on August 16, 2026)
