CAVE CITY, Ky. — A Barren County traffic stop is featured in a new investigative documentary examining allegations of excessive force and misconduct within the Kentucky State Police.

“The Gray Gods,” a docuseries produced by WAVE-TV, the NBC affiliate in Louisville, explores a series of violent encounters between Kentucky State Police troopers and civilians across the commonwealth.

“Utilizing previously unreleased videos and exclusive interviews, the series explores allegations of excessive force and misconduct by specific Kentucky State Police Troopers,” WAVE said. “These incidents include beatings, pursuits, and claims of concealing evidence related to the use of force, leading to federal indictments and ongoing lawsuits.”

The first episode opens with the story of Justin Halcomb, who said he was driving on Interstate 65 through Cave City around 1:30 a.m. on March 6, 2020, after getting off work and heading to visit his first wife’s grave.

Halcomb said another vehicle began tailgating him, prompting him to accelerate to about 90 mph before slowing down.

“He had to swerve to avoid hitting me, and then that’s when the blue lights came on,” he said.

Believing someone was impersonating a police officer, Halcomb said he did not immediately stop and instead continued north on Interstate 65 into Hardin County, where he eventually pulled over.

Several officers and troopers surrounded Halcomb’s truck before he was pulled to the ground by a trooper. Seconds later, video shows troopers smashing his head into the pavement, kicking him in the head and using a Taser on him while he was handcuffed.

The case eventually led to federal indictments against troopers. Halcomb was arrested and later convicted on fleeing and resisting arrest charges.

The series consists of six episodes, each about 15 minutes long. They are available to watch online and on several streaming platforms.