By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FORT MITCHELL - A Kentucky wildlife and boating officer was killed Monday afternoon when his vehicle overturned on Interstate 75/71, state officials in Frankfort confirmed.

An investigator prepares to photograph the SUV driven by a Kentucky wildlife and boating officer killed in an accident on I-75/71. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

The northbound lanes of the interstate at the Buttermilk Pike exit were closed for hours. Traffic was detoured to Interstate 275 to Interstate 471 until about 7 p.m., said ARTIMIS officials. Southbound lanes remained open, but traffic was slow-moving as it approached the Buttermilk Pike interchange through the evening.

The officer's sport utility vehicle overturned in the fast lane of the interstate northbound shortly before 2 p.m., its emergency lights flashing. The officer was ejected, rescue workers at the scene said. A red sedan, which appeared to have been sideswiped during the collision, was stopped in the slow lane.

Fort Mitchell police were handling the investigation, but had released no details as of late Monday night.

Lt. Mike Fields of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources wouldn't release the officer's name because next of kin had not been notified.

Fields said the man killed was a sworn officer with full police powers. There are 166 wildlife and boating officers in the state who are responsible for all boating in Kentucky, as well as hunting and fishing activities.

"Whenever you lose an officer, it is a tragic loss," Fields said. "It is a pretty somber place here today. We are all pretty much still in shock."

E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com