Further details released on officer-involved Marshall County shooting

BENTON, Ky. – The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is continuing to investigate the officer-involved shooting that took place on Monday, May 16 around 2:10 p.m. in Marshall County.

According to police, a preliminary investigation found that just after 1 p.m., the Marshall County Special Response Team arrested Gary Rowland, 30, from Murray in Benton for outstanding arrest warrants.

The warrants issued included charges on absconding from parole and other drug and firearm-related crimes.

Rowland was transported to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office after the arrest. While there, Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy Donald Bowman and Calloway County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jody Cash interviewed Rowland for an investigation unrelated to the arrest warrants. Both deputies served as part of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force.

During the interview, Rowland asked to smoke a cigarette, and both Bowman and Cash escorted him outside in front of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. While smoking, Rowland took out a handgun, which had been concealed on his person. Rowland fired it in the direction of Cash, striking him, according to police. Police stated Bowman and Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Little used their agency-approved firearms to return fire, striking Rowland. On-scene personnel attempted life-saving measures for both Cash and Rowland, according to KSP.

Marshall County EMS transported Cash and Rowland to Marshall County Hospital, where both were pronounced dead.

Both Marshall County sheriff’s deputies were placed on administrative leave following the incident.

Bowman is a 27-year law enforcement veteran and has served with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office since 2019. Little is a four-year law enforcement veteran, having served all four years with the Marshall County Sheriff’s office.

Cash was a 22-year law enforcement veteran and had served with the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office since 2020. During his career, he served eight years with the KSP, retiring in 2018 at the rank of sergeant, and six years at the Murray State University Police Department, achieving the rank of assistant chief and six years at the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office.