Editor’s note: Owensboro Times rarely reports on suicides. We generally do so only when the death occurs in a public space, involves a high-profile individual, or is connected to a criminal case we have been actively covering. In this instance, the individual’s death followed a case that had significant public interest and had been the subject of multiple recent reports, making it a situation we felt required acknowledgment and context for our readers.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.
The former local worship pastor arrested earlier this week on multiple felony sex abuse charges has been officially identified as the man who died in a shooting incident Thursday morning near Utica.
The Daviess County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as 40-year-old David A. Rodgers. According to a statement from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary investigation indicates that the death is the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman previously said deputies were dispatched at approximately 9:54 a.m. on Thursday to a reported shooting in the 7700 block of Todd Bottums Road, where initial information indicated a 40-year-old man had shot himself. Youngman said that upon arrival, deputies and firefighters found a deceased male in the yard of a residence.
Rodgers was arrested earlier this week by Kentucky State Police following an investigation into allegations involving a juvenile. Investigators determined Rodgers, a former worship pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, had “engaged in a sexual relationship with a juvenile through a position of special trust.” Pleasant Grove confirmed Rodgers’ termination following his arrest.
Jail records show Rodgers was booked into the Daviess County Detention Center on Feb. 16 and released the following day after posting a $75,000 full cash bond. An arraignment had been scheduled for March 18.
Rodgers’ death has prompted widespread questions from the public regarding why he was eligible for release from jail earlier this week, particularly after being placed on suicide watch at the Daviess County Detention Center, and why his bond was set at $75,000.
Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger confirmed Rodgers was placed on suicide watch during his incarceration.
“DCDC uses jail triage services, and Rodgers triaged high due to his charges, where he was placed on suicide watch protocols,” Maglinger said. “DCDC did not receive any information during the intake and booking process that Rodgers was suicidal, but rather jail triage services were utilized, resulting in him being on watch.”
When asked whether inmates on suicide watch are typically eligible to post bond, Maglinger said eligibility for release is governed by constitutional protections.
“Every inmate has a Constitutional right to bail except in cases involving capital offenses,” Maglinger said.
Daviess District Judge Brian Quattrochi, who set Rodgers’ bond, also addressed concerns surrounding the decision.
“Bond determinations are made in accordance with Kentucky law and established judicial guidelines,” Quattrochi said. “The purpose of bond is to ensure a defendant’s appearance in court while also considering public safety and the defendant’s financial circumstances.”
Quattrochi said bond decisions must be reasonable and not excessive, and are based on information available at the time of arrest or arraignment.
“In setting bond, I rely on the information presented by Pretrial Services,” he said. “That includes the nature of the alleged offense, the defendant’s prior criminal history, and the pretrial risk assessment scores.”
According to Quattrochi, Rodgers received the lowest pretrial risk scores allowed.
“Scores are based on a defendant’s risk of failing to appear in court and likelihood to re-offend,” he said. “Based on the seriousness of the allegations and the information available at the time, including his risk scores and lack of any criminal history, bond was set at $75,000.”
Quattrochi said he was not informed of any suicide risk when bond was determined.
“I was not informed of any suicide risk at the time bond was determined,” he said. “If such information had been formally presented through Pretrial Services, it would have been considered as part of the overall assessment.”
DCSO said their death investigation is still open at this time. Kentucky State Police said their protocol is to keep a current criminal investigation open until an official death certificate is issued, at which time a formal request to clear the case will be filed with the Daviess County Courts.
