Story Created:
Dec 11, 2009 at 11:38 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 11, 2009 at 11:38 PM CDT
LYON COUNTY, KY - The crime was almost unimaginable, and now some say so is the punishment. A jury convicted Timothy Doyle in 1999 for killing 27-year-old Brandon Thacker. Thacker was an investigator with the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Thacker was on the Western Kentucky Parkway near Princeton on his way to an assignment. He began to pull over an erratic driver. That driver pulled up beside Thacker's car and fired three shots, killing Thacker. Doyle admitted to pulling the trigger but convinced a jury he suffered from mental illness and received a twenty-year sentence. Now Local 6 has learned he's set for release from the Kentucky State Reformatory at the end of the year.
"I'm a nice guy and a hero." Those were the words of Timothy Doyle ten years ago almost beaming with pride about killing an officer in the line of duty. Now he's just weeks away from freedom.
"It's preposterous," Commonwealth's Attorney G.L. Ovey said, "A Lyon County jury heard the evidence."
Ovey prosecuted Doyle for murder, but the defense convinced the jury Doyle suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and didn't know what he was doing was wrong.
Members of Thacker's family were outraged by the verdict of guilty but mentally ill of 1st degree manslaughter. The jury recommended the maximum sentence of twenty years. Ovey says his next disappointment came last year when a parole board reduced that sentence to thirteen years. "We provide the man seven years credit? What kind of credit did Brandon Thacker have? None. Brandon Thacker will serve his sentence throughout eternity," Ovey said.
In a statement given to Local 6, Thacker's fellow members of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control wrote, "The early release of Timothy Doyle rehashes painful memories of a terrible and senseless tragedy. Thacker's death caused immense grief for his friends and colleagues here at ABC."
"This is a classic example why the system is not respected. A court set the man's punishment at twenty years, but yet he doesn't do twenty years, he doesn't come close to doing twenty years," Ovey said.
Now ten years after boasting to television cameras, a killer could be free in time to celebrate the new year while another family endures another year without a father and husband.
Brandon Thacker's widow now serves as the national president of an organization that provides support to the surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The Thackers daughter, who was eighteen months old at the time of Brandon's death is now twelve. ABC colleagues honor Thacker each year with a ceremony at his grave site.
Local 6 contacted the parole board for comment on this story. They referred us to the Department of Corrections. No one at the D.O.C. was available for comment. Timothy Doyle is scheduled for release December 30th.
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ardvaark65 said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 7:36 PM
It was the jury and judge! Hope they are proud of themselves.
34185067Anonymous said on Saturday, Dec 19 at 4:27 PM
Disgraceful...How can we hold these boards accountable?
33990229Jimmy said on Saturday, Dec 19 at 3:51 PM
What a true injustice this is to the law enforcement system as a whole. I truly feel for the Thackers. If you do the math it is not 13 years but just over ten. If they commuted his sentence to 13 that means he has what, 3 years of probation left. Who will be held responsible if he kills someone else?
33989007Hard Rock said on Saturday, Dec 19 at 3:33 PM
A group of troopers were discusing whether the death penalty is a deterrent. Some said no, but one ol' trooper said, "I know it's a deterrent. If it wasn't for the fear of the law and the lord, I know lots of SOBs I'd kill."
33988304Doug Wright from SC, Son-in-law of Fallen PTL. William Bell EOW: 11-19-02 said on Saturday, Dec 19 at 12:13 PM
What a travesty in justice. What was this Parole Board thinking? The fact that this Cop Killer is going to be released into the public after only 13 years of a 20 year sentence is an outrage. My heart goes out to the Thacker family. They have certainly endured enough heartache and anguish, but to have this happen just rubs salt in an open wound. Thanks to our justice system, this Cop Killer will soon be walking among us. God Bless our Peace Officers and the Thackers.
33979689Drew Thacker said on Friday, Dec 18 at 9:47 PM
Wow this is my cousins killer... I thought 20 years was WAY too little but 13!!! If I were the judge I would have flicked the electric chair on myself!!! I will always miiss my cousin. R.I.P. Brandon Thacker
33954952Widow of fallen said on Wednesday, Dec 16 at 12:12 AM
Texas is one of a few who take killing an officer seriously. Automatic Death Penalty! They may sit and appeal for 10 years, but ultimately they get what they deserve. The families at least get some closure-but loosing a loved one in the line of duty never stops the pain. This wonderful family has been hurt enough, and now is being slapped in the face by our own justice system. Justice???? Our officers give their lives to protect those who sit there and allow these killers to go free. BS
33749067Anonymous said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 9:56 PM
An Eye for an Eye! He gets out then he just might get the death penalty!
33743279Do u Value $$$, politics, or LIFE ? said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 7:18 PM
u can KILL and litterally get away w/murder ! it just costs us tax payers alot of $$$, or an evil lawyer defends a coward! or the murderer just has dirty money! "A drug dealer or corrupt person will do more time than a murderer because he's making more money than the gov't Whats wrong with our justice system? Does it value money or life.......OR Whats wrong with society? LET"S value LIFE!!!
33736004No justice !!! Voters please fix it! said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 7:03 PM
My Uncle's Murderer was released in 4 years ! THE MURDERER IS WALKING OUR STREETS OF NEW MEXICO TODAY ! The MURDER was PRE-MEDITATED. My Uncle had defense wounds on his arms and fingers from a knife that was pushed into his upper torso and kneck over 30 (thirty something) times. Justice system sucks!!! there's no accountability
33735071CS393 said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 3:29 PM
Now you know why it's called Criminal Justice - they (criminals)seem to be the only ones getting any justice. How about the surviviors? This guy should have been taken care of, before the trial. I was never one to support vigilante justice - but now that all of these officers are being killed, maybe it's not so bad an idea. I pray for the families of these fallen "heros"!
33722369john said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 3:10 PM
Hopefully some correction officer will leave him alone with the "right" inmate so the situation can be rectified
33721064Sherry Hicks said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 12:10 PM
All you officers beware, because this man will do it again and the responsibility will lay with those that turned him loose. I just pray for the Thacker family that they never have to lay eyes on the killer again, but with the justice system we have, you may have to. Keep him behind bars where he belongs.
33707861Bob Kossack said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 10:55 AM
convicted cop killer what does that mean. is this the world were we can just go out and kill any one we want and not have to pay for it. i think that the death penitly should be back on the table. i think it would stop a lot of carim in the street.we need law like in the 50's thank you.
33702016Brandon's friend said on Tuesday, Dec 15 at 2:39 AM
I had the opportunity to serve with Brandon in the Kentucky National Guard. Brandon was a great person and a great American. After 15 years of Law Enforcement I'm not suprised when the system serves up this type of injustice. We should all carry this thought of Brandon's injustice everytime we vote. We have to ensure that the right people are always in place to ensure senseless crimes like Brandon's are never slighted.
33685719The surving spouse of an officer killed in the line of duty. said on Monday, Dec 14 at 10:34 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Thacker family. There is no Justice system! Tell me how he can go from serving 13 yrs. last year to being set free at the end of this month????? How terribly horrible for this family, friends and co-workers.
33678544Anonymous said on Monday, Dec 14 at 10:30 PM
How can he go from 13 yrs. last year to getting set free at the end of this month? These officers put their lives on the line each and every day. The justice system is the unjust system! The Thacker family are in my prayers.
33678404Wick said on Monday, Dec 14 at 3:24 PM
I am finishing a criminal justice degree and have discussed such issues as this. Do we point the finger at Doyle, his attorney, the prosecutor, the jury, the parole board, or at all of them. The fact remains a law enforcement officer died for no reason and Doyle comitted the crime. He will face the ultimate justice someday!
33655869john q citizen said on Monday, Dec 14 at 2:00 AM
Let him out. Maybe someone will give him whats coming to him. He cant be protected and worshiped on the street like he was in jail. Put him in society and let another citizen or cop deal out some justice to this piece of garbage.
33621742Leanne Heggen Eckstein said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 7:49 PM
This is a mockery of justice. As long as killers of law enforcement officers are allowed to run free the killing will continue. Signed, The surviving wife of an officer killed in the line of duty
33609949Jim Fezatte said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 7:26 PM
As the father of a police officer recently lost in the line of duty, March 29,2008,I would like the Governor of Kentucky to personally get involved, if they have the power to communte the sentence when they think someone should not die, then they certainly have the power to put this cop killer in jail for the rest of his life, everyone that kills someone else is mentally ill, how can you possibly believe this guy is curred. Please do something Mr. Govenor or your police officers will lose faith
33609257Betty said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 6:30 PM
If everyone could know what a police family deals with every day their officer is on patrol As they worry they will be next to receive notice of injury or death maybe the next person who has to decide if that "Cop Killer" will be set free, maybe they would think twice before they let him out to do it again. I'm one of the lucky ones, my officer retired...but three of the men he served with were killed in the line of duty. The justice system IS NOT doing their job.
33607667Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 5:29 PM
How can they let him out of prison after killing a Police Officer, Keep the Jerk in Jail for ever
33605694Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 5:27 PM
Keep in in Prison where he belongs he should not be getting out.
33605649WPSDviewer said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 2:53 PM
The point of justice is balance, and protection of the people. How can letting this lunatic out of jail protect anyone? Likely, he will kill someone or molest. What a flawed system we have, where child molesters, rapists, and murderers are released from prison regularly.
33599134Living in Lyon Co. said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 11:08 AM
Someone goes out and kills using a gun and calls himself a HERO, some liberal will try to tell you it's the guns fault, we should feel sorry for this poor gunman. I say if you commit a crime like this with a gun, knife, or anything else. You should go before a Jury and if convicted you should be done away with you are of no benefit to anyone. Then maybe the family can have some closure. This would also leave room in prison for drug dealers who sell and give drugs to our kids.
33590437key master said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 10:05 AM
You can thank our idiotic drug laws for this sort of nonsense. As long as we are overfilling the prisons with minor, non-violent, 'zero tolerance' drug offenders we have to make room for them somehow.
33587994Homer said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 9:39 AM
This is crazy and our system continues to get worse sex offenders, animal mistreatment, and drug dealers are treated worse than murderers. I agree with the earlier post go to public hangings and stop all of the appeals process and let God have them or the devil.
33587069BoboPopo said on Sunday, Dec 13 at 12:09 AM
Governors and parole boards ought to suffer the same penalty as the criminal when he/she gets out of prison and commits another felonious act on the good citizens of this country. Maybe if they had to take some responsiblilty for their actions they might not be so inclined to be such bleeding heart liberals.
33575794rkolb58 said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 11:49 PM
He'll go up against the wrong one, someday, and get what's coming to him. It happens all the time with someone like him.
33575249Sherry and Kiana said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 11:40 PM
It is just WRONG, the laws, the system, WHY does it lean toward the criminal EVERY time. My love and prayers to the Thacker Family.
33574994phil ramage said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 8:11 PM
I was the paramedic on the ambulance that transported Brandon Thacker to the hospital the day he was shot. I saw first hand what that bullet did to him. Doyle should never again see the light of day. I will never forget the feeling of helplessness that I had while attempting to save Brandon's life that day. Doyle should rot in a cell for the rest of his miserable life for what he did.
33568634blue said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 3:31 PM
Just a typical action by political appointees. The system is a sham and a "JOKE". I hope someone with a backbone will stop this horrible event, but Oh I forgot! the system is broke.
33559969Anonymous said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 3:02 PM
He better hope he never gets pulled over late at night for speeding.
33559069Batman said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 11:25 AM
Just as expected....another direct reflection of the political process playing the dominant role to the "victors" as the political correctness of attorneys pandering with a jury of "our peers" can only spank the hands of murderous slime like this one....the the politics continue through the flagrant appointment of still more cronies to the Parole Board so they can contribute partial salaries back into the machine....disgusting and threatening to us all....vote again why don't you....promote more
33550489Brandy said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 10:44 AM
What troubles me is that after airing the story of his release, the next story was about putting a man in jail found with 2 pounds of marijuana. Now who would you be more afraid of on the street--a cop killer or a pot dealer? Keep the REAL criminals in jail.
33549019kentuckychucke said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 9:51 AM
Just 2 weeks after the Wash.St murders and this happens? When does the parole board come up for review? The board should quickly and quietly resign their positions.
33547122smokey said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 9:47 AM
another reason not to elect liberal politicians..they are the ones who put liberals on the parole board..and if you really get down to it 95 per cent of all lawyers hate the police..and the liberal politicians passed laws that you must be a lawyer to be a judge..lawyers should not be allowed to write laws...never vote for one of the for anything.
33547007Thats not Justice! said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 9:19 AM
Are you kidding Me? Release a COP Killer? He bragged about being a hero! What is wrong with our justice sysptem......
33546054Furious said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 9:04 AM
If we would go back to the way the justice system used to be, and have public executions for murderers, then this kind of stuff would cease!!
33545506NOT RIGHT! said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 9:01 AM
This is CRAZY!!! All Law Enforcement Officers need to see his picture.....he thought he was a hero once and he will try to be one (in his eyes) again!
33545417patrick said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 8:07 AM
If he robbed a convient store he would be spending the rest of his life in prison or received the death penalty. He goes out and kills an officer of the law and he gets released early. That is crazy. I'm affraid he will go out and kill more officers and it will be washington state all over again.
33543947Justice? said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 8:02 AM
Another reason the crime rate is so high, slap them on the wrist and let them go, even crazy murderers! Turn them loose to do it again!!! If our laws and penalties were stronger it would do us all justice.
33543844Concerned said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 7:14 AM
If he is so "crazy", he does not need to be out to do something else like this.... or worse. Dilusional with a gun... now that is scarey.
33543069l said on Saturday, Dec 12 at 7:01 AM
I can't believe that system is letting this jerk out early. He bragged about what he did and why is that so many of them use the "I'm crazy and found religion" defense!! He needs to stay in prison for his disgusting crime!!! Thacker's family is reliving this case again and so are the officers that were with him that day I imagine!! How awful for them!
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