Former Kentucky police chief Rick McCubbin faces domestic violence, harassment charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The former chief of the Shepherdsville and Bardstown police departments was charged with assault-domestic violence and harassment after an argument turned physical last month.

According to court documents, Rick McCubbin got into an argument with a family member on June 6. During the argument, McCubbin allegedly grabbed the victim by the arms with both hands, pushed them and pinned them against a wall.

When another family member tried to intervene, McCubbin is accused of grabbing the family member and throwing them onto a bed before he reportedly fled the scene.

The family member who tried to intervene called police, who filed a report and took photos of visible bruising on the first victim's arm. Louisville Metro Police wrote that the victim was also complaining of pain. Both victims refused EMS.

McCubbin was charged with assault in the fourth degree for domestic violence with minor injury, as well as harassment.

A no contact order was issued June 9, according to court documents. An arrest citation said McCubbin was served the complaint, so it's unclear if he was ever taken into custody. Court documents show bond was partially secured for $5,000 during his June 9 arraignment.

He's was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning for another pretrial conference. While he was not in attendance, his attorney was there on his behalf. McCubbin agreed to take alcohol counseling until a scheduled trial in December.

"Thank you for reaching out, I hate that this is a story, however, I understand," he said in response to a request for comment, going on to say he will always own up to things, whether right or wrong, and no one is to blame but him. He added that he will work to make himself better.

McCubbin retired in 2022 after a 40-year career in law enforcement. He worked at the Louisville Metro Police Department for 17 years before becoming the Bardstown police chief.

He was chief at the time of the ambush-style murder of officer Jason Ellis in May 2013, and when Crystal Rogers went missing in July 2015.

McCubbin is the chief who fired officer Nick Houck for interfering in the Rogers investigation. Nick Houck is the brother of Brooks Houck, who was convicted Tuesday of murder (principal or accomplice to the crime) and complicity tampering with physical evidence in the Rogers murder case. The jury recommended the maximum sentence for Brooks Houck, which is life in prison plus five years.

This story may be updated.

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