Louisville’s haunted locations are known for mysterious figures, unexplained encounters and stories passed down through generations. But beyond the legends, these places can present real challenges for law enforcement and provide valuable lessons in officer safety, risk assessment, and responding to unusual calls for service.

In this episode of Bluegrass Beat, we visit some of Louisville’s most talked-about locations, including Waverly Hills, Eastern Cemetery, the Seelbach Hotel, Sauerkraut Cave and the infamous Pope Lick Trestle. History buff and attorney Shawn Herron with the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy helps explore how these stories became part of Louisville’s identity, while Officer John Keeling brings the conversation back to the realities of police work.

How do officers assess a scene when a caller reports something unusual? What hazards should they recognize at locations with restricted access or dangerous surroundings? And how do training, sound judgment, and situational awareness help officers focus on what they can observe and verify rather than assumptions about what might be happening?

We also consider why people are willing to take risks to explore places they believe are haunted and what those choices can mean for public safety and the officers who may be called to respond.

Join us for an episode that connects Kentucky legends with practical lessons in law enforcement, officer safety, and the importance of making sound decisions in unpredictable situations. Because whether a call begins with a ghost story or something more ordinary, the fundamentals of police work remain the same: assess the situation, recognize the risks, and protect the public.

About our Guests

Shawn Herron, LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE ACADEMY EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR

Shawn Herron blends a unique blend of legal, law enforcement, public service and historical expertise to any project she touches. Her career has included serving as an Assistant Director of Law for Louisville, working with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and spending 20 years with the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT). Since 2021, she has served as an executive administrator at the Louisville Metro Police training academy.

A graduate of the University of Louisville School of Law, Herron is also an accomplished author and history enthusiast. She wrote The Alma Kellner Mystery, published by The History Press, and contributed to the documentary Revenge in the Mountains: The Murder of Chief Ambrose Metcalfe, available on Fawesome.

Herron is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Kentucky, bringing her professional journey full circle through her passion for research, history and preserving the stories of the past.

John Keeling, LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DepaRTMENT Officer

Officer John Keeling has served with the Louisville Division of Police and Louisville Metro Police Department for more than 37 years. A graduate of duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Keeling was among the first sets of twins to join the department alongside his brother, Bill.

His family’s commitment to law enforcement continues today, with both his son and nephew serving as sergeants with the Louisville Metro Police Department. With decades of experience in policing, Keeling brings a seasoned perspective on public safety, human behavior and the real-world challenges officers face when responding to unusual situations.

The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.

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Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at critley.kingsmith@ky.gov to share feedback.

Music

"Rynos Theme “by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Sound Effects

Record Scratch by freesound_community from Pixabay

All episodes are edited for clarity and content.