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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Taylor was shot and killed from ambush at the head of Mill Creek while conducting an investigation into moonshining.
He was ambushed by a group of men whom Deputy Taylor had indicted for moonshining. Several days before he was murdered his home had been fired into.
The man who shot Deputy Taylor was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Taylor was survived by his wife and nine children.
Survivors
Deputy Taylor was survived by his wife and nine children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Taylor served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Manchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clay County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 8 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 1922, 1 officer at Clay County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1899, with 2.
In 1922, 15 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 44. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Clay County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 48; the middle age was 44.
John was 44. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
John was 44. 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 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 12.5% of these deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 12.5%. Saturdays: 37.5%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 88.9% of all 9 deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Clay County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
