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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jim Cornett was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an intoxicated man at a roadhouse in a rural area 12 miles from Hazard on the Perry-Leslie line.
As he made the arrest, the subject and another man both opened fire. Despite being fatally wounded, he was able to return fire and killed the subject. The other suspect and his brother were both arrested and charged with murder.
Deputy Cornett was survived by his wife and 10 children.
Survivors
Deputy Cornett was survived by his wife and 10 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 Cornett served with the Perry County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cornett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Perry County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 1943, 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 1943, 5 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 54. 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.
James was 54. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
James was 54. 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.
James was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 26.3% of these deaths at Perry County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 31.6%.
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Fridays: 12.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 19 deaths at Perry County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.9% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Perry County Sheriff's Office has 19 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Lem Nolan Oct 10, 1916
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Jerry Cornett
Apr 20, 1920
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Walter Nathaniel Campbell
Sep 23, 1921
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Richard J. Crawford Aug 4, 1922
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James Holiday Sep 22, 1922
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Robert H. Napier
Dec 21, 1922
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William Smith
Dec 24, 1923
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Hiram C. Wooton Dec 30, 1927
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Mack Summers
Dec 23, 1928
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Borkan Jones Mar 29, 1929
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Elhanon Jones Feb 10, 1940
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Linville Higgins Miller
Sep 20, 1942
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James Cornett Dec 24, 1943
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Jerry Stamper
Mar 4, 1950
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Bill Baker Mar 11, 1950
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George Puckett Apr 26, 1950
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Sam Fields Nov 10, 1956
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Hiram Alex Ritchie
Jun 30, 1980
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Alex Eversole
Jan 4, 1983
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-WT
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Perry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
