Wall of Remembrance
Elmer Kiser
A Carter County, Kentucky constable, Elmer Kiser, who was assaulted last week, by a motorist he had pulled over, has died and the man accused of beating him, Johnny Puckett, has been charged with murder.
Elmer Kiser, 63, of Olive Hill, died Wednesday morning in the intensive care unit at King's Daughters Medical Center, where he had been in critical condition.
The charge against Kiser's alleged assailant, Johnny R. Puckett, of Soldier, Kentucky, has been upgraded to murder as a result of Elmer’s death.
Puckett was arrested Friday, night on a charge of first-degree assault. He remains in custody.
Kiser was found lying unconscious just north of the Olive Hill City limits, the evening of Sept. 20, 2006. Minutes before he was found, Elmer had reported that he was following a reckless driver. He had requested backup from the Olive Hill Police Department.
Carter County Emergency dispatchers subsequently received another call from a person who reported a man lying in the roadway on Crawford Avenue. Olive Hill Police Officers responded and found Kiser unconscious and injured.
Kiser had served three terms as Carter County's District 4. Constables in Kentucky are elected from each magistrate district.
They are constitutional office-holders, and, they have the same countywide law enforcement authority as sheriffs. Their activity levels vary from county to county.
Some work as full-fledged peace officers, while other duties consist of assisting the sheriff.
Our sincere condolances to the family and friends of Elmer.