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Incident
Stock Constable William Barkley suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a man he and a county constable were arresting on a warrant for being drunk in public.
They went to the man's home to serve the warrant, but the man violently resisted and struggled with both officers. He continued to fight as they attempted to place him in the constable's buggy at the intersection of Pine Street and Patterson Street. Constable Barkley collapsed and died before a doctor could reach his location.
The man they were arresting was placed in jail until he became sober.
Constable Barkley had served as the county stock constable for one year. His primary duties involved dealing with livestock on public roadways.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.
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
You barely got started.
Stock Constable Barkley gave the Fayette County Constable's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Stock Constable Barkley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
William is the only officer of Fayette County Constable's Office remembered here.
William is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in KY, 4.5% of the 984 remembered there.
William is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer in KY was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 2024, with 4.
In 1908, 3 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 100th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1908, 3 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 100th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
William was 58. Of the 41 lost to cardiac events in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 60; the middle age was 51. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 10 years.
William was 58. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 15 years.
William was 58. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in KY; February holds the most, 18.2%. Tuesdays: 11.4%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fayette County Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.5% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 15.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fayette County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.