LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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Man who shot and killed Deputy Cheeks may walk free

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A man who shot and killed a Jefferson County deputy 15 years ago is out of prison and may re-enter the public if he passes psychological evaluations.

Peter Bard shot Deputy Floyd Cheeks in October 1993, when Cheeks tried to serve a court order to Bard's brother.  Bard spent eight years in custody before he was deemed competent to stand trial.

He was convicted in 2002 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.  But after serving just six years of that sentence, his prison term is over.  Bard is in a state psychiatric hospital and if he's deemed mentally fit, he'll be released.

Just 15 years after burying Deputy Floyd Cheeks, the Cheeks family is still reeling from this news, because in just 72 hours they'll find out whether Bard will stay in Central State Hospital or walk free.

Bard's prison term is over, but an Oldham County judge issued an order that transferred Bard to Central State, where doctors have 72 hours to determine whether he will stay there indefinitely.

Disappointed this day came so soon, the Cheeks family waited longer for Bard to serve trial, than the time Bard actually spent in prison after his conviction. The family says that no one notified them about Bard's transfer to Central State; however, a family spokesperson said he hopes that Bard stays there, because that way, in essence, he'll still incarcerated.