Bedford Ky Man Jumps in River to Avoid Police

He was wanted on warrants

November 10, 2022, Madison Police arrested William R. Clark 28, Bedford, Kentucky, for resisting law enforcement L-6 felony, escape L-6 felony, and for an active warrant out of Jefferson County, Indiana, for operating a vehicle while intoxicated L-6 felony.  

Madison Police Officer Kyle Lane encountered Clark on Vaughn Drive @ Jefferson Street.  A status check on Clark revealed the active OVWI warrant. Officer Lane approached Clark to take him into custody, however he fled toward the Ohio river, and jumped in. 

Boat rescue assistance was requested and received by a nearby United States Coast Guard vessel.    The Coast Guard was successfully able to retrieve Clark from the river and return him to the shoreline, where MPD took him into custody.  Clark was transported to KDH-ER for observation and released.  

While transporting Clark to the Jefferson County Jail, he became combative and attempted to escape.  Additional officers responded and assisted in completing the transport.  Madison Officers Chad Wehner and Cameron Blankenship assisted Lane with the investigation.  Clark has the presumption of innocence until otherwise proven guilty.