Matthew Humble, Guthrie police chief, dies after battle with cancer

Guthrie Police Chief Matthew Humble died Wednesday night after a battle with cancer.

Family, friends, the Todd County community and law enforcement agencies from across the region have rallied to support Humble and his loved ones since it became public last month that he had been diagnosed with very advanced liver cancer.

In a story on WHOP News in September, Guthrie Police Sgt. Dean Blumel called Humble an ‘impeccable leader’ and a ‘huge part of the community.’

On Thursday morning, Guthrie Mayor Scott Marshall said the name ‘Humble’ suited the chief well for the type of person he was.

Humble was promoted to police chief in July of 2017 and Mayor Marshall says he and the officers were able to do a lot of good in just over a year’s time.

Mayor Marshall notes that Humble earned the respect of the community during his time as an officer and as chief.

He notes that Guthrie shares the loss with Russellville, where Humble formerly served as a police officer and where his father continues to serve as a chaplain in Logan County.

Chief Humble’s cruiser has been parked across from the American Cafe’ as a memorial. The public is welcome to pay their respects and to leave any cards, flowers or mementos.

The mayor and city council established the Matthew Humble Cancer Fund at city hall and anyone wanting to donate to assist the family with expenses can mail checks to P.O. Box 125, Guthrie, Ky. 42234.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser has already brought in about $8,000 in donations and a Facebook fundraiser is up to about $12,000.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Walnut Grove Parkside Church in Russellville. Burial will follow in the Stevenson Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday at the church and Saturday from 8:30 until the service hour. Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He was only 37-years old.