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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Claude "Rooster" Flinchum was shot and killed while waiting for his backup units to arrive after responding to the scene of a disturbance call. The 36-year-old suspect was apprehended by the state police. Deputy Flinchum had served with the Wolfe County Sheriff's Department for one year.
Survivors
A Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, he was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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 Flinchum gave the Wolfe County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Campton community, and 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
Claude E. Flinchum served in the the United States military (1952â1954) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wolfe County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Claude is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Claude is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Claude 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 1979, 5 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Claude was 46. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Claude had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Claude was 46. 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. Claude had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claude was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Claude had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Wolfe County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Wolfe County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Claude among them.
Military Service
Claude E. Flinchum served in the United States military (1952–1954) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Claude E. Flinchum’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wolfe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.