Floyd Cook, wanted for shooting Tennessee police officer, killed in shootout

The manhunt for fugitive Floyd Ray Cook ended early Friday morning in a wooded area near Burkesville, Kentucky.

The manhunt began on October 24 after Cook shot a police officer in the chest in Algood.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Bill Gregory said two colleagues and a U.S. Marshal were searching an embankment on Kentucky Route 61 about seven miles south of Burkesville when the fugitive was spotted. Cook spotted an arriving cruiser and ran off into the woods, Gregory said. Luckily for Valencia, he got saved by his bulletproof vest. During the pursuit, police said Cook wrecked the truck and fired several rounds at Trooper Jeremy Baker. Investigators say Cook was not in the auto, so the search for him resumed in Tennessee and Kentucky. An officer fired at the auto.

The vehicle careened down a dead-end street, through a fence and into a ravine, Miller said. In 1978, Cook was released on parole, but was involved in a number of violent crimes, before he was ultimately returned to Eddyville on a 100-year sentence in 1987. Katie McCarty and Troy Wayne are believed to be Cook’s associates.

Kentucky State Police told News 2 Cook reportedly went to a residence and asked for a ride Thursday but was denied.

Cook’s presence in the border area between Kentucky and Tennessee put residents on edge.

Convicted of rape in the 1970s, Cook was wanted in Marion County, Kentucky, for failing to comply with the sex offender registry. They returned fire, striking and killing him.

The authorities had earlier sent out public alerts during the week and schools in Cumberland County closed for three days for fear that students might cross Cook’s path. He was scheduled to appear in court in August, but failed to turn up. He is now also wanted on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer in Tennessee.

During the shootout, Cook was injured and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cumberland County Coroner.

As the marshals approached, the driver struck two law enforcement vehicles and almost hit a marshal while driving away, Shelton said.