By Burton Cole
WALTON — A former Falmouth police officer was one of two Boone County sheriff’s deputies wounded in a shooting Thursday night.
Kyle Florer, 30, of Falmouth, was listed in stable condition Friday in the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“Kyle was shot three times, two of which were superficial wounds to the left side and one that went in a downward motion into his side, lodging in the groin area, missing his heart by maybe an inch, striking a vein,” his mother, Susie Florer, posted early Friday on her Facebook page.
“They took him to surgery and decided that the best option was to not operate, leave the bullet and closely monitor him for internal bleeding. This is the safest route at this time.”
Falmouth police Chief Marty Hart and Sgt. Broderick Schmeing were among those who went to the hospital.
“I was with his wife and family while he was assessed and treated,” said Hart, who said that the affable Florer was in good spirits.
“He never lost consciousness, and I was joking with him. I was told he was joking with medical staff.”
The shooting happened after police attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant Thursday night at a resident at 13167 Service Road in Walton, according to Boone County sheriff’s Maj. Phillip Ridgell. The resident of an apartment there was being served for overdue child support, Ridgell said.
Just after 10 p.m. Thursday, about 45 minutes after deputies first arrived, “deputies breached the front door and prepared to enter,” Ridgell said. “As they did so, the suspect fired multiple rounds, striking two Boone County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
“Both deputies sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were evacuated from the scene.”
One deputy was shot in his chest and airlifted to the hospital, he said. The other was hit in the leg and taken to the hospital by ambulance.
After the shooting, “the SWAT team, along with our negotiators, was activated after the suspect barricaded himself inside the home,” the major said. “Numerous law enforcement agencies from across Northern Kentucky also responded to the scene.
“The suspect did not cooperate with negotiators despite repeated attempts to establish a line of communication. After ensuring that all neighboring units were evacuated, the SWAT team deployed gas canisters into the interior of the residence.
“When it was determined that the suspect was not reacting to the gas deployment within a reasonable amount of time, a drone was authorized to enter the home.
“The drone navigated through the home and discovered the suspect lying unresponsive in a second-floor bedroom.
“The SWAT team safely entered the residence and confirmed that there were no other occupants or victims,” Ridgell said. “After securing the home, a SWAT team medic assessed the suspect and determined that he was deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
The shooter’s name was not released pending notification of relatives, Ridgell said.
Florer was a former Pendleton County sheriff’s deputy and more recently, the K-9 officer for the Falmouth Police Department. He left Falmouth at the end of June to join the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
Susie Florer wrote, “We cannot thank everyone who helped save my son. The outpouring of love and support from past coworkers, and the Boone County sheriff’s officers was overwhelming, nothing short of amazing.
“When I say that God is always there, my son is living proof,” she said. “Prayers to the other officer and his family.
“We are all so thankful.”
Hart said, “I have been in law enforcement for almost 30 years and this is a disturbing example of how the danger of this job has increased exponentially. Generally speaking, response for the police is not there like it used to be. This is why there is a large shortage of officers across the country.
“With a decrease in respect comes an increase in violence. That is why I am dumbfounded when I hear people talk about defunding and getting rid of the police.”