In a statement on the murder of Hopkinsville Police Officer Phillip Meacham, Kentucky State Police modified the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
On Monday, state police said Officer Meacham, 38, was off-duty and in his personal vehicle in the early evening hours of March 29 when he saw a vehicle with flashing lights approaching. Police said Officer Meacham followed the vehicle, driven by 35-year-old James Decoursey, and contacted an on-duty supervisor to request a uniformed officer to help investigate.
Decoursey pulled onto Paulette Court, a dead-end street, with Officer Meacham remaining nearby to ensure Decoursey didn’t leave.
The statement says after the uniformed officer arrived, Meacham and the officer approached Decoursey, who appeared to be working on a vehicle in a driveway. Police said after Meacham and the officer made contact, Decoursey shot Meacham and fled the area.
Meacham was later pronounced dead at Jennie Stuart Medical Center.
Decoursey was killed hours later by law enforcement officials in Clarksville, Tennessee, after a truck he stole after shooting Meacham was spotted near a Cracker Barrel restaurant.
Police originally said the incident began when Decoursey, pretending to be a police officer, pulled over Meacham, who was driving his private vehicle.
After pulling over the officer, Decoursey and Meacham became engaged in an altercation, with Decoursey shooting Meacham.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
