Three Arrested in Murder Investigation Dating Back to 1989

Monday, March 23, 2020 at 1:39 PM

By Kentucky State Police

Through further investigation in more recent years and following up on new leads, Kentucky State Police detectives were able to develop persons of interest in the case.

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(Campbellsburg, KY.) – Kentucky State Police Post 5 Detectives, along with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the United States Secret Service, Gallatin County Sheriffs Office, and Switzerland County (IN) Sheriffs Office arrested three individuals in connection with a murder investigation dating back to 1989. Curtis Wade Sharon, Shawn F. Satchwell, and Ricky H. Asher were arrested on Friday, March 20th, 2020. These arrests stem from the investigation into the murder of Bernard "Cowboy" Hopkins, who was found killed in his residence in Gallatin County on March 13th, 1989.

The investigation has continued since it was first reported, eventually becoming a cold case. Through further investigation in more recent years and following up on new leads, Kentucky State Police detectives were able to develop persons of interest in the case. Friday, March 20th the case was presented to the Gallatin County Grand Jury, and indictment warrants were issued for the arrests of Sharon, Satchwell, and Asher. In anticipation of the indictment warrants, Kentucky State Police and the above-mentioned agencies prepared to act quickly in an effort to place these individuals under arrest. Upon receiving verification of the warrants, law enforcement was able to locate and arrest all three individuals without incident.

Sharon has been charged with Complicity to Murder and Solicitation of Murder and was lodged at the Switzerland County Detention Center in Vevay, IN. Satchwell has been charged with Murder and was lodged at the Boone County Detention Center. Asher has been charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence and Criminal Facilitation to Murder and was lodged at the Leslie County Detention Center. The case remains ongoing at this time.

The Gallatin County Commonwealth Attorney's Office can be reached at email lkelly@prosecutors.ky.gov, and phone number 859-586-1723.

Sharon, Curtis Satchwell, Shawn