Joe Imel/Daily News Bowling Green Police Department Officer Erik Woodward (left) consoles Officer Beldon Parry on Tuesday after the incident on Vine Street. The man - Rojelio Gonzalez-Pacheco, 26, who struggled with Officer David Whitson while armed with two knives - is attended to by officers in the background.

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A Bowling Green Police Department officer killed Tuesday while responding to a call was not shot by the man he was fighting.

Master Police Officer David Whitson, 34, and Rojelio Gonzalez-Pacheco, 26, of Edmonton both died at The Medical Center as a result of gunshot wounds suffered at the scene.

Police received a call at 10:35 a.m. to 1036 Vine St. from a woman reporting a man brandishing a knife, said Trooper Todd Holder, public affairs officer for Kentucky State Police.

Click here for video of last night's KSP press conference.

State police are handling the case because it is city police policy for KSP to take over when a Bowling Green officer is involved in a shooting.

“Initially three officers responded to the call for assistance and encountered Rojelio Gonzalez-Pacheco armed with two knives. Pacheco attacked Officer David Whitson,” Holder said during a press conference Tuesday evening. “During the attack, the other responding officers used deadly force to protect Officer Whitson.”

Investigators have not determined who shot Whitson, and are still awaiting results from the state medical examiner's office to make that determination, Holder said this morning.

“It is known that Gonzalez-Pacheco did not have a gun in his possession,” Holder said.

City police Officers Beldon Parry and Erik Woodward, who were also at the scene, have been placed on administrative leave, Holder said. That's in accordance with city police policy, which requires that any officer involved in a shooting be placed on leave.

Gonzalez-Pacheco had a limited arrest record with no major felonies, Holder said, and was apparently at the Vine Street residence visiting family.

“If we're not mistaken, the house is where his brother and aunt resided,” Holder said.

Investigators also aren't sure how many shots were fired, Holder said, reiterating that all information from the investigation at this point is preliminary.

An autopsy was performed this morning in Louisville on Whitson, followed by one for Gonzalez-Pacheco. Results of those autopsies aren't yet available.

“I want to assure the citizens of Bowling Green that normal police service will not be interrupted,” Holder said.

The funeral arrangements for Whitson are incomplete, according to BGPD Chief Doug Hawkins. They are being handled by J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home, Lovers Lane chapel.

“The City of Bowling Green family offers their heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Bowling Green Master Police Officer David Whitson, who was killed in the line of duty this morning,” Hawkins said yesterday. “The loss of Officer Whitson will be profoundly felt, not just by his family, colleagues and loved ones, but also by our whole community.”

Whitson was an eight-year veteran of the department, spending the entire time working in patrol, BGPD Officer Barry Pruitt said.

He is survived by a wife and two children, Holder said.

Counselors from Bowling Green's Employee Assistance Program and the state's Kentucky Community Crisis Response team briefed officers this morning, letting them know they would be available for those who needed to talk about Whitson's death, according to Officer Jerry Corbitt, public information officer for the department.

“They'll be here for however long it takes,” he said. “This is a life-changing experience for everybody, and it's going to affect all of us greatly.”

Whitson was the first Bowling Green police officer killed in the line of duty, Corbitt said.

“We're leaning on each other,” he said.

The department is also trying to help the community to cope with the death, Corbitt said.

“This isn't just going to impact the department. It's going to affect the entire community,” he said.

American Bank & Trust has established a memorial fund for the Whitson family. Anyone who would like to make a contribution can do so at any American Bank & Trust location.

About David Whitson

Family - Wife, Holly, and two children, son, Jacob, 8, and daughter, Hannah, 5.

Education, training - 1996 WKU graduate with a degree in government and a minor in criminology.

Hometown - Portland, Tenn.

Hire date - 1/5/98.

Neighborhoods group calls for honors

The Bowling Green Coalition of Active Neighborhoods is asking city residents to honor Master Police Officer David Whitson, who was killed Tuesday in the line of duty.

The coalition asks people to display royal blue ribbon, greenery and/or blue lights.

“In memory of the death of Master Police Officer David Whitson, BGCAN encourages all citizens to show their appreciation of our police officers by putting a candle with a blue bulb in their window or a wreath with royal blue ribbon in their neighborhood,” said coalition President Jane Grabruck.

Officers need to know that residents care, Clay Street resident Reudeen Shartzer said in a news release from the city.

Click below for video of last night's KSP press conference that will play in this browser window.