Loved ones honor fallen Central Kentucky police sergeant

CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Saturday was a day of remembrance for the friends and family of 73-year-old William Marty Jackson, a Winchester Police sergeant who died on Sunday from a heart attack following a line-of-duty event.

“He will be greatly missed.”

Jackson, who went by Marty, served his community as a first responder for the majority of his life.

He began working for the Paris Police Department in 1973.

He joined Winchester Police just four years later.

“In 1986, he was appointed police chief until his retirement in 2008. But only after a few months, he returned to the Winchester Police Department as patrol and was later promoted to sergeant,” said Lee Cruse, the Grace Bible Church pastor who led the service.

Those who knew Jackson said protecting his community was his top priority. They even shared memories regarding his dedication.

“I could never figure out what shift he was on. I couldn’t figure out if he was morning, noon, or night because it seemed like he was always there,” Cruse said.

“He used to drive the bypass and we would all laugh and joke about it. He would drive 20 miles an hour and the traffic would know when Marty was on the bypass, but he literally drove 20 miles an hour and blocked the traffic, and that was his thing. He was keeping us safe,” added Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed.

Alongside the memories shared, Reed spoke on the legacy Jackson leaves behind.

“He leaves a legacy of compassion. He leaves a legacy of deep caring, and he was an instrumental part of the lives of the people of Winchester and Clark County,” she said.

Governor Andy Beshear issued an order that flags be half-staff from sunrise to sunset Saturday in honor of Jackson.

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