BENTON, Ky. — Kentucky State Police investigators have been called in after a man taken into custody at the Marshall County Jail became unresponsive and was later transferred to a Louisville hospital in critical condition, officials said.
Arrest, jail booking and medical emergency
The man, identified by authorities as 35-year-old Kendrick Owens of Benton, was arrested Thursday morning following reports of erratic behavior in the Cumberland Heights neighborhood in Gilbertsville, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies said they were contacted at about 7:20 a.m. about a man screaming and walking through yards off Delaware Drive.
An off-duty McCracken County deputy who lives in the neighborhood was first on the scene and detained Owens, who was later transferred into Marshall County custody. Deputies wrote they believed the man was under the influence of a substance and that officers attempted to de-escalate the encounter. According to the sheriff’s office, Owens refused to cooperate and resisted arrest.
Owens was booked at the Marshall County Jail and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, third-degree assault and public intoxication. After booking, jail staff reported Owens became unresponsive and summoned medical personnel.
Medical response and hospital transfer
The Marshall County Ambulance Service transported Owens to Marshall County Hospital. From there, he was transferred to a hospital in Louisville, where he was listed as in critical condition at the most recent report.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| About 7:20 a.m. | Call received reporting erratic man in Cumberland Heights neighborhood |
| Morning | Off-duty McCracken deputy detains suspect; Marshall County deputies arrest and book him |
| After booking | Subject becomes unresponsive; ambulance called; taken to Marshall County Hospital |
| Later | Transferred to Louisville hospital; listed as critical |
Investigations underway
Kentucky State Police Post 1 said it was notified by Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hilbrecht and that KSP has activated its Critical Incident Response Team to conduct a criminal investigation into the interactions with Owens. The sheriff’s office also said it would conduct an administrative investigation into the incident.
The KSP Critical Incident Response Team is typically deployed in cases that involve significant injury or other serious events during contacts between civilians and law enforcement. The team’s involvement signals that KSP will examine the circumstances of the arrest, any use of force, medical care provided in custody and whether criminal conduct may have occurred.
- Both criminal and administrative reviews are active — KSP’s criminal inquiry and the sheriff’s internal review.
- Investigators will likely examine booking records, surveillance video, medical notes and officer statements.
- No additional suspects or arrests have been reported in connection with the incident.
Public safety and transparency
Officials have not released details about Owens’ current prognosis beyond his critical status, nor have they publicly described the specific actions that led to him becoming unresponsive. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office initially reported deputies believed Owens to be under the influence and that officers tried to de-escalate before he resisted.
Members of the public often expect timely information from law enforcement when custody-related medical emergencies occur. Authorities commonly release limited details while investigations are underway to avoid compromising interviews and evidence collection; the KSP and sheriff’s office statements indicate both processes are ongoing.
Next steps for investigators and the public
It is not yet known how long the KSP investigation will take. Criminal probes of in-custody incidents often involve interviews with responding officers, medical staff and witnesses, as well as forensic review of footage and records. The sheriff’s administrative review will evaluate departmental policies, training and compliance.
WE NEWS will continue to follow the investigations and will publish updates as officials release additional information, including any findings by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team or outcomes of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office administrative review.
Marcus Ellison is the WE NEWS state correspondent covering western Kentucky law enforcement and public-safety issues.
