Clinton Eugene Cunningham was a 29-year-old Kentucky State Trooper assigned to Post 12 in Frankfort when he was killed on February 11, 1979. Cunningham, who had previously served with the Lexington and Richmond Police Departments and had been with the State Police for three years, was dispatched to investigate a reported break-in at a store on US 127 just north of Frankfort in Franklin County. The report was a ruse; when Cunningham arrived he was ambushed and shot in the back, fatally wounded.

Investigators quickly identified and apprehended a 20-year-old suspect at his home shortly after the shooting. That suspect was prosecuted, convicted of Trooper Cunningham’s murder, and sentenced to 99 years in prison. If anyone knew Trooper Cunningham or has information about the case, please share what you can.