Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jerry Cornett succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three two weeks earlier while attempting to arrest several men for possessing moonshine on April 3rd, 1920.
Deputy Cornett and several other deputies were checking the Fourseam Block Colliery Company mine camp on Buffalo Creek, three miles from Hazard when they encountered the group. A shootout ensued when the posse attempted to place the men under arrest.
Two of the subjects, Deputy Cornett, and a second deputy were wounded. Deputy Cornett was taken to the hospital in Hazard where he died on April 20th, 1920.
Both suspects were charged with murder. One was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. In 1923 the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that he should have been charged with manslaughter and ordered a new trial which the result of is unknown.
Deputy Cornett was a veteran of WWI. He was survived by his wife.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp0z2vfx5vf8f5773f4g- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jerry. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Jerry is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Cornett served with the Perry County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jerry Cornett served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Perry County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Jerry is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jerry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jerry 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 1920, 1 officer at Perry County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 3.
In 1920, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jerry was 25. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Perry County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 48; the middle age was 43.
Jerry was 25. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Jerry was 25. 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.
Jerry was 25. 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 10.5% of these deaths at Perry County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 26.3%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 19 deaths at Perry County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 36.8% 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
Perry County Sheriff's Office has 19 officers remembered here, Jerry among them.
-
Lem Nolan Oct 10, 1916
-
Jerry Cornett
Apr 20, 1920
-
Walter Nathaniel Campbell
Sep 23, 1921
-
Richard J. Crawford Aug 4, 1922
-
James Holiday Sep 22, 1922
-
Robert H. Napier
Dec 21, 1922
-
William Smith
Dec 24, 1923
-
Hiram C. Wooton Dec 30, 1927
-
Mack Summers
Dec 23, 1928
-
Borkan Jones Mar 29, 1929
-
Elhanon Jones Feb 10, 1940
-
Linville Higgins Miller
Sep 20, 1942
-
James Cornett Dec 24, 1943
-
Jerry Stamper
Mar 4, 1950
-
Bill Baker Mar 11, 1950
-
George Puckett Apr 26, 1950
-
Sam Fields Nov 10, 1956
-
Hiram Alex Ritchie
Jun 30, 1980
-
Alex Eversole
Jan 4, 1983
Where
Military Service
Jerry Cornett served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jerry Cornett’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Perry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
