McCracken County Sheriff’s Deputies and other responders got a call at around 12:30 pm Thursday to 7050 Bobo Road in West Paducah concerning reports of a man down in a field. Police said when they arrived 71-year-old Willie Paul Cornwell was lying in a field unresponsive, and a large bull was acting aggressively, not allowing emergency workers near him. An officer had to put down the bull before responders could get to Cornwell, but when they finally were able to reach him they discovered he was dead.
Police said Cornwell's friend told them he arrived at the field earlier with a backhoe to bury a different bull that had died. Once he pulled into the field, he said he saw Cornwell lying on the ground not moving. The bull prevented him from helping Cornwell and forced him back onto the backhoe, charging at him and acting very aggressive. He then called 911.
The death investigation by both the sheriff’s department and the McCracken County Coroner’s office determined that Cornwell had been attacked by the bull some 30 yards away from where his body was found. Police said it also appeared that after Mr. Cornwell’s death, the bull continued attacking him for over an hour until his friend arrived.
Mr. Cornwell’s family said Lindsey Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
