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Incident
Officer Patricia Ross was beaten to death by an inmate in a dining facility at the Kentucky State Penitentiary at 266 Water Street in Eddyville. The inmate lured Officer Ross into a food storage area and then beat her to death with a 10-pound commercial can opener when she refused his sexual advances. He also beat another inmate, leaving him critically injured when he walked in on the incident. The inmate, serving a 10-year sentence for first-degree assault, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on February 1, 1985. He received an additional 20 years for assaulting the inmate. In 1988, his conviction and sentence were overturned. In 1994, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in 25 years. He died in prison on July 3, 2009. Officer Ross had served with the Kentucky Department of Corrections for three years.
Survivors
She was survived by her 15-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Employee Ross gave the Kentucky Department of Corrections 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Employee Ross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kentucky Department of Corrections has lost 17 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Patricia is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Patricia is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Patricia is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 1 officer at Kentucky Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1984, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Patricia was 38. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Kentucky Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 57; the middle age was 47.5. Patricia had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Patricia was 38. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Patricia had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Patricia was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Patricia had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patricia was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Patricia had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.1% of these deaths at Kentucky Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 22.2%.
March holds 7.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Kentucky Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 0.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Her people
Kentucky Department of Corrections has 17 officers remembered here, Patricia among them.
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George L. Ball
May 8, 1884
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H. Edward Taylor
Jul 12, 1899
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Hodge Cunningham Oct 3, 1923
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William Gilbert Oct 3, 1923
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V. B. Mattingly Oct 3, 1923
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William Moneymaker Apr 21, 1931
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L. R. Gumm
Dec 17, 1945
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Julius R. Cummins
Jul 21, 1949
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Owen Davenport Jul 18, 1956
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Patricia Ross
Mar 1, 1984
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Charles Frederick Cash
May 9, 1986
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Thomas Anthony Brooks
Aug 13, 2020
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David M. Ragle
Dec 19, 2020
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Jonathan Howard Tosh
Sep 8, 2021
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Thomas Alan Beard
Sep 29, 2021
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Hunter Scott Miller
Jul 25, 2024
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George Ramirez
Mar 10, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Kentucky Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
