Local deputies assist Pike County with patrols

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Although the Highland County Sheriff’s Office has not been directly involved in the investigation of the massacre in Pike County last week that left eight family members dead, it has provided backup assistance.

Sheriff Donnie Barrera said Friday that his office has sent deputies to Pike County to help with road coverage and provide other assistance while Pike County deputies focus on crime scene coverage.

Barrera said his office provided coverage last Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Pike County to help a fellow sheriff’s office stretched thin by the scope of the murder investigation.

Dozens of officers from outside the county have come to town, helping the beleaguered sheriff’s office with patrol duties. At calling hours Wednesday at the Kentucky funeral home where Gary Rhoden lay, several state troopers and sheriff’s deputies stood guard at the front door.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati-area restaurateur Jeff Ruby tweeted Thursday that he is withdrawing the $25,000 reward he had offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. He cited “recent complex criminal developments.” A message left with his spokeswoman was not immediately returned.

The victims discovered April 22 were 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden; his ex-wife, 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; their three children, 16-year-old Christopher Jr., 19-year-old Hanna and 20-year-old Clarence, or “Frankie”; Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; their cousin, 38-year-old Gary Rhoden; and 20-year-old Hannah Gilley, whose 6-month old son with Frankie Rhoden was unharmed.

Two other children, Hanna Rhoden’s 4-day-old daughter and Frankie Rhoden’s 3-year-old son, also were unharmed.

The funeral for 20-year-old Hannah Gilley was scheduled for Saturday in Otway, Ohio. She was the fiancee of victim Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden.

A funeral for Frankie Rhoden, his parents and two siblings will be held Tuesday in West Portsmouth.

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Staff and wire reports

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