Basic police traffic stop turned dangerous.

A Shepherdsville police officer was ran over during a traffic stop by two wanted criminals.

On July 3, a Shepherdsville police officer, whose name was not released, pulled over Taira Litsey and Logan Lamb at a Marathon gas station off of Kentucky 44 West in Shepherdsville. The officer pulled Litsey over after running her license plate through the police department database and discovering she had a suspended license. The stop started as a calm and peaceful talk about their driver’s license and insurance but soon turned dangerous. The police body camera the officer was wearing during the traffic stop showed the events leading up to the scary moment the officer was ran over by Litsey’s car. The video shows the officer talking to the two suspects and then looking up their background on his police computer in his patrol car; finding out they had warrants out for their arrests. Two other Shepherdsville police officers arrived on the scene as the lead officer walked up to the car. The officer demanded Litsey to step out of her car multiple times as the other officers moved to the other side of the car to watch the passenger, Lamb. Litsey didn’t comply with the officer and as she turned the key and started the car, the officer quickly grabbed her, trying to get the keys out of the ignition. She punched the officer multiple times as he tried to stop her from driving away. Litsey sped out of the parking lot with the officer hanging out of the driver’s door and running over his leg.

Shepherdsville police did not catch up to Litsey and Lamb but several days later Kentucky State Police arrested both suspects in Louisville. Litsey is facing a long list of criminal charges, including assault on a police officer. Lamb is facing charges of resisting arrest and assault.

This wasn’t the first time these two criminals have been in trouble with the law. Litsey is suspected by Louisville Metro Police of hitting her ex-boyfriend by a car in March. She was arrested and soon after released on bond. Her criminal record also includes burglary, escape and various drug offenses. Litsey is also charged with receiving stolen property after police say she admitted to driving a Buick that was stolen in Shepherdsville. They are both being held at Metro Corrections in Louisville.

Thankfully, the Shepherdsville officer made a full recovery from his leg injury.

Police body cameras are becoming more important everyday. The video is proof of the events that happen at a police stop and I believe every police department in America should invest in them. They are a tool to help both the police officer and the person they confront. Yes, body cameras are very expensive but they are needed to provide video proof and evidence. These body camera videos are major evidence in court and gives the judge and jury a chance to watch the events during a traffic stop or any other police involved event.