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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Allen was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance in Pinsonfork, Kentucky.
As he arrived at the location he encountered two men in an automobile. As he stepped onto the vehicle's runningboard the occupants opened fire, fatally wounding him. Both men were arrested after the shooting.
He was transported to Memorial Hospital in Mingo County, West Virginia, where he died the following day.
Deputy Allen was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Allen was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Allen served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Allen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pike County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 1 officer at Pike County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1930, 16 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 24. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pike County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 45; the middle age was 43.
John was 24. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
John was 24. 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.
John was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 15.4% of these deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.3% of all 16 deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 38.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pike County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Charles Smith Mar 19, 1911
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Patton Bartley
Feb 19, 1917
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Walter Deal Jan 10, 1921
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Jesse Ferrell May 30, 1925
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Louis Casebolt
May 25, 1926
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Frank Phillips Dec 13, 1926
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Thomas C. Tackett
Dec 16, 1929
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John Allen
Jul 20, 1930
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Boyd Westin Hatfield Nov 11, 1931
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Earl Scott
Jan 7, 1939
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John F. Cable Oct 2, 1940
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Roy Conway
Jul 28, 1950
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Dave Coleman, Jr.
Aug 3, 1951
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Earl Smith May 15, 1979
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Poyster Keene
May 8, 1993
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James Ireland Thacker
Jan 23, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
