Kentucky State Police Releases Completed Investigation from London Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting

Incident occurred on Dec. 23, 2024, involving a victim identified as Douglas Harless

LONDON, Ky. (April 10, 2026) – On Dec. 23, 2024, at 11:53 p.m. EST, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 11 was requested by the London Police Department (LPD) to investigate an officer-involved shooting that took place at 511 Vanzant Road in Laurel County.

Upon being requested by LPD, KSP arrived within seven minutes and secured the scene. The preliminary investigation indicated that LPD officers were attempting to execute a search warrant after learning that stolen property was allegedly located at 489 Vanzant Road. During the encounter, an LPD officer fired his agency-issued firearm, striking an individual by the name of Douglas Harless, who succumbed to his injuries on scene and was pronounced deceased by the Laurel County Coroner’s Office.

KSP provided the completed investigation to the special prosecutor authorized by the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General, who then presented it to the Laurel County grand jury on Feb. 16, 2026. On Feb. 20 the grand jury returned a “no true bill.”

The normal procedure once a grand jury renders a decision is for the records of an investigation to be made publicly available through the open records process. However, shortly after the grand jury returned its no true bill, KSP received notice that 13 Laurel County elected officials had submitted a formal request that the matter be reviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Until this week, federal law enforcement had requested KSP not release the records. KSP responded to open records requests that the investigation file is approximately 75 GB of records that it would need additional time to review. Today, KSP is releasing the complete investigation file after making redactions required by law. A copy of the investigation can be found here. The investigation was supported by a team of 13 seasoned KSP investigators.

The 13-month long investigation by KSP concluded:

• Nine officers with the London Police Department arrived at 511 Vanzant Road in Laurel County at 11:49 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2024, to execute a search warrant in relation to an investigation involving stolen property. They had probable cause to believe that stolen property had been delivered to a home at 489 Vanzant Road earlier that day.
• LPD believed they were at the correct address based on photos obtained earlier in the day from Google and Apple Maps, and the Laurel County Property Valuation Administration website. The photos publicly available inaccurately placed 489 Vanzant Road in the place of 511 Vanzant Road, the home of Douglas Harless. Additionally, when queried via the PVA’s public website, that office incorrectly displayed the exterior of 511 Vanzant Rd with a listing for 489 Vanzant Rd.
• Upon arriving at 511 Vanzant Road, LPD knocked on the side of the house and the front door, loudly announcing themselves as police. Officers also wore and displayed “police” on the outside of their clothes and had activated the agency vehicle “blue light” emergency equipment.
• Harless was asleep upon the arrival of LPD officers, and after failing to answer the door in a reasonable amount of time, or comply with lawful orders by police, LPD with knowledge that an occupant could be heard within the residence, made forcible entry through the front door of the residence. Immediately, LPD officers encountered Mr. Harless standing within the doorway, armed with a semi-automatic pistol being aimed at them, using both of his hands to point the firearm.
• The LPD officer shot his agency weapon, striking Mr. Harless five times, who sustained multiple gunshot injuries from the five fired bullets.
• Harless was not involved in the criminal investigation involving stolen property.

KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to keeping the public informed while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP’s standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts have been gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.

The role of KSP during officer-involved shooting investigations is to gather, analyze and present the information in a concise and concrete manner. The agency does not recommend criminal charges, administrative action, or indictments. These decisions are to be determined by the judicial system.

Until the judicial process is complete, the premature disclosure of the investigation would reveal investigatory leads, potentially hindering future investigative steps. Additionally, it could pose a significant risk of causing jurors to develop preconceived opinions about this incident before they are presented with all relevant evidence. 

KSP is committed to transparency while ensuring public and officer safety. The procedures followed in this case are standard for all officer-involved shooting investigations and will remain so in the future.

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Editor’s Note: Once you click the link, the file may take time to download due to its size.