Bullitt County police officer dies of cardiac arrest while responding to break-in at Kart Kountry

PIONEER VILLAGE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Pioneer Village Police Officer Brent Hall died in the line of duty on Saturday. Officer Hall was responding to the scene of a crime when he collapsed. Since then, his vehicle has been on display in the parking lot of the police department, and members of the community have been stopping by to leave mementos and pay their respects.

Hall was working an off-duty job at Kart Kountry on Saturday and was rushed to UofL Hospital South.

"Officer Hall was advised of eight juveniles breaking into a vending machine on the property," Pioneer Village Police Det. JC Witherspoon said Monday. "Officer Hall ran to the location to prevent them from completing the break-in and, shortly afterward, collapsed in front of responding on duty Shepherdsville Police Department units."

Witherspoon said Hall was pronounced dead just before 6 p.m. at the hospital of cardiac arrest.

"It's been hard," Witherspoon said. "... He was actually well-known in the community — not just here but throughout the county. Everybody knew stories of Brent just through his generosity and his charity."

In August 2022, a grand jury indicted Hall on charges stemming from an encounter in December 2020. That's when he and another deputy were sent to the residence of an "extremely inebriated" woman, according to court documents. Investigators said the woman was taken to the hospital, but Hall returned to her home with alcohol and had sex with her 13 hours later. He allegedly tried to hide the sexual encounter from investigators.

Hall was given pre-termination papers on June 8, 2021, after a Bullitt County Sheriff's Department investigation. He resigned two days later before he was fired. On the same day, he was sworn in as a part-time officer for the Pioneer Village Police Department but was placed on administrative unpaid leave after the indictment, which alleged Hall "engaged in sexual intercourse with another person who was incapable of consent due to being physically helpless."

Hall told investigators after his arrest that the woman had asked him to return to her home when he was finished with his shift.

"That is probably not a good idea," Hall said.

The conversation was captured on Hall's body camera video.

Court documents allege that Hall changed his mind and later admitted to returning to the woman's home with a bottle of vodka and having sex with her.

Hall's trial began in February, but Bullitt County clerk confirmed that a mistrial was declared two days later. It's unclear why.

Eric Johnson, executive director of Supporting Heroes, said Hall deserves the same honor as any officer or first responded who died while serving and protecting.

"He had a otherwise unblemished record of service," Johnson said Monday. "... We're not judging. We're not taking sides. ... He's innocent till proven guilty. He deserves to be honored for the service that he rendered and for his sacrifice."

Hall leaves behind a sister and his police family. Right now, funeral arrangements are still pending.

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