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Incident
Chief Deputy Sheriff Bristol Taylor was shot and killed while responding to reports of a drunk and disorderly subject at a restaurant in Mousie, Kentucky. As he and his partner exited their vehicle the subject opened fire on them with a .357 caliber revolver, fatally striking Chief Deputy Taylor four times. The other deputy was shot once and wounded. The subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Chief Deputy Taylor was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Knott County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Bristol is one person.
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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.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Taylor gave the Knott County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hindman 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
Bristol Taylor served in the U.S. Army (1960â1962) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Knott County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Bristol is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Bristol is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Bristol 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 1973, 1 officer at Knott County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bristol was 29. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Knott County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29.3 and 32.8; the middle age was 31. Bristol had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Bristol was 29. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Bristol had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Bristol was 29. 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. Bristol had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bristol was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bristol had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 42.9% of these deaths at Knott County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Fridays: 28.6%.
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Knott County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Knott County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Bristol among them.
Military Service
Bristol Taylor served in the U.S. Army (1960–1962) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Bristol Taylor’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 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Knott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
