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On Monday morning, the Nicholasville Police Department announced the death of Officer Anthony Ruggiero.

Ruggiero was a 9-year veteran of the Nicholasville Police Department (NPD) and a veteran of the U.S. Military who experienced two deployments. His most recent role was the community services position of the department. 

According to fellow officer School Resource and Public Information Officer Sam Wade, Ruggiero was in charge of community outreach and programming. He worked hand in hand with other community programs, the health department, and churches to create community programming. He was also a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) teacher and served as an E-911 dispatcher in the county. 

“The biggest thing right now that we want people to know is that Anthony was one of the truest servants you’ve ever met. He was one of the most positive people that we’ve ever had. He had a heart for kids and a heart for service, and he was out there every day trying to make things better for the people of Jessamine County,” Wade said. 

The NPD led the charge in escorting Ruggiero, “the hero,” through Nicholasville to Betts and West Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday morning. 

“Our thoughts are with a wounded community, as well as with the family he leaves behind,” read the police department’s Facebook post. 

The Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office also created a post recognizing Ruggiero’s service and passing. “He was a true public servant and a pillar to Jessamine County. May he rest in peace,” the post read. 

Community member Rebecca Schaefer has started a Meal Train web page to assist Ruggiero’s grieving family in hopes to “alleviate some burdens of the family in their time of loss,” the website reads. Sign up for the meal train or donate at https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/73q1g2?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email+marketing&utm_campaign=lnk-train-view-t-create&fbclid=IwY2xjawIXLfdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfOs-eraSz3qquo22rtf1SppERDiXl1uGva6JK74_R1XWr14zxhsVon0PQ_aem_U0wMN8UDGuNzw1S-PnWCVw. 

To coordinate drop-off times, text or email Rebecca Schaefer directly at Rebecca_schaefer@yahoo.com or 859-553-0108. 

Other than meal train donations, the family currently needs 20-ounce containers of Similac 360 total care infant formula with Iron, Pamper Swaddlers size 1, Pure Gerber purified water with minerals, and Pampers Bluey pull-ups size 4T/5T. 

“We’re all just as shocked as everyone; it’s something that none of us would have ever expected, so we’re really just trying to hold tight for the family and give them the support they need right now,” Officer Wade said. 

In June 2024, Ruggiero attended the county’s annual “Paint the Town” banner-painting event with NPD interns and was the officer who pushed for NPD involvement in the event. 

“I’ve never done this event before. Of course, I’ve always known about it seeing the banners downtown, but now that I’m in this position, I was able to convince the chief to actually go for it and paint some of these banners. I’m enjoying it; it’s wonderful getting out here and getting to interact with the community and see all these people painting banners,” Ruggiero said.