London continues seeking justice for Douglas Harless 6 months after death

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Six months ago on Monday, London police reportedly shot and killed 63-year-old Douglas Harless after apparently showing up at the wrong address around midnight.

Harless’s family and community members were left in the dark and are still waiting for answers about how it could’ve happened. But local police said they hope all the facts will come out soon.

“He was just such a good man,” said Jamie Burns, who helps organize monthly vigils and protests. “And we want to remember him. We want to remember that our community lost a great man.

Harless was shot and killed at his home while the police were serving a search warrant for a stolen weed eater and other items, but court documents and dispatch audio indicate authorities went to the wrong home.

“It shouldn’t even be possible,” said Geoff Sebesta, a candlelight vigil participant coming from Clark County. “And it shouldn’t—it certainly shouldn’t be possible for the people who did it to not only not be punished but to still be working and still be taking the tax money of this community.”

People from near and far gather monthly in London to honor Harless and support his family in their journey to justice.

Even six months later, Burns said her heart is filled with sadness and fear.

“Fear that nothing’s going to change,” she said. “There’s a lot of fear that it could be somebody else next. There’s a lot of fear that if you do stand up, that you’re going to get retaliated against. There’s just a lot of fear,” Burns admitted.

London’s acting police chief told FOX 56 he understands the public’s concerns and takes them seriously.

Although Kentucky State Police is leading the investigation, Chief Bobby Day said he calls KSP frequently for updates.

“In fairness to the Kentucky State Police investigation, this has a lot of work and parts, and it takes quite a bit of time, and you never want to rush anything like this,” said Day.

Burns said she understands the need for patience but still hopes for three simple things: answers, accountability and action.

“What do we do to make sure it doesn’t happen again?” asked Burns. “Policies, procedures that change the way that they serve warrants, or when they serve warrants, or the steps to checking license plates in the driveway, checking the addresses.”

Day said it’s important to him to have all the facts before considering procedural changes.

“Be it business, be it policing, be it anything, you know, I personally I like to have all the facts before I make any changes or any major modifications to anything,” he said.

Day noted that the department’s thoughts and prayers are with Harless’s family in this difficult time.

“Nobody wants the facts of the case to come out more than we do,” he said. “And I would just tell everyone, including Doug Harless’s family, just to, you know, wait for the facts. When the facts come out, you know, the facts are the facts. You can’t change those.”

He said there is no word on an exact timeline, but they hope to have answers soon.