MANCHESTER, Ky. (WKYT) – FBI Director Kash Patel visited Manchester on Friday, joining Congressman Hal Rogers for a law enforcement appreciation luncheon and a panel discussion on rural law enforcement.
The visit came after 13 Laurel County elected officials sent a three-page letter to Patel and the U.S. Department of Justice requesting a formal inquiry into the death of Doug Harless.
During Patel’s visit, WKYT’s Samantha Valentino asked him whether he’d received the letter from Laurel County officials, and what it would take for the FBI to look into Harless’ case.
Patel responds to letter
The meeting with law enforcement was closed to the public, but Patel took questions from reporters afterward.
When asked by WKYT’s Samantha Valentino whether he had received the letter, Patel said he did not have personal knowledge of it.
“I don’t have personal knowledge of the letter, but I’m sure if it was sent, it was received,” Patel said.
Patel said there is a process in place for handling such requests.
“What we do with any request or inquiry like that is there’s a process with the FBI to review the matter with our state and local authorities and our partners at the Department of Justice, and then they’ll make a decision on whether or not, based on the facts of the law, any sort of inquiry is further required, and we’ll look at it,” Patel said.
Background on the Harless case
Harless’ family says the 63-year-old was asleep inside his Lily home when nearly a dozen London Police officers surrounded it just before midnight on Dec. 23, 2024.
Kentucky State Police say London Police were there to serve a search warrant. According to officers, Harless pointed a gun at them, leading them to shoot him.
A Laurel County grand jury failed to indict any of the officers involved in Harless’ death.
What the letter outlines
The letter outlines several concerns, including the possibility that officers were at the wrong home that night, that officers were not wearing body cameras, and that London Police were operating outside their typical jurisdiction.
The letter also states that the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office was not notified of the operation until after shots were fired.
County leaders say the decision not to indict any officers has left their community with fear and uncertainty. The letter asks the FBI and DOJ to determine whether Harless’ civil rights were violated.
Community members seek federal action
Jeremy Hicks, a regular at Justice for Doug protests, traveled to Manchester hoping Patel would see his sign.
“Maybe a higher power can see Doug Harless’ name so we can get justice for him, accountability, transparency,” Hicks said.
Hicks said he did not know Harless personally but often carries a weedeater bearing Harless’ photo.
Repeated open records requests by WKYT Investigates for a copy of the warrant officers were attempting to serve the night Harless was killed have been denied. However, court records say the warrant was tied to stolen lawn equipment, including a weedeater.
“Everybody will see the weedeater and associate it with justice for Doug and the wrongful death of Doug Harless,” Hicks said.
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