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Incident
Deputy Thomas Tackett was shot and killed when he and another man investigated a car that was stopped in the middle of a roadway.
Deputy Tackett and his friend were returning to the deputy's home after transporting a prisoner to jail. When they came across the car in the road, they stopped to offer assistance, believing the car was stalled. As the two approached the car, Deputy Tackett's friend observed one of the men inside the vehicle hide something behind his back. Thinking the man had a gun, the friend drew his weapon and ordered the man to show his hands.
As Deputy Tackett approached the car, he identified himself as a deputy and was immediately shot by one of the occupants. Deputy Tackett's friend immediately returned fire as the suspects fled. The three men, including a father and son, were arrested a short time later and charged with murder. The father was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Deputy Tackett was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Tackett was survived by his wife and eight 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 Tackett served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tackett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pike County Sheriff's Office has lost 16 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at Pike County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1929, 18 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 40. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Pike County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 45; the middle age was 43.
Thomas was 40. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Thomas was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 15.4% of these deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 23.1%. Mondays: 30.8%.
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.3% of all 16 deaths at Pike County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 38.5% 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pike County Sheriff's Office has 16 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Charles Smith Mar 19, 1911
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Patton Bartley
Feb 19, 1917
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Walter Deal Jan 10, 1921
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Jesse Ferrell May 30, 1925
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Louis Casebolt
May 25, 1926
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Frank Phillips Dec 13, 1926
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Thomas C. Tackett
Dec 16, 1929
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John Allen
Jul 20, 1930
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Boyd Westin Hatfield Nov 11, 1931
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Earl Scott
Jan 7, 1939
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John F. Cable Oct 2, 1940
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Roy Conway
Jul 28, 1950
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Dave Coleman, Jr.
Aug 3, 1951
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Earl Smith May 15, 1979
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Poyster Keene
May 8, 1993
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James Ireland Thacker
Jan 23, 2012
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
