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Incident
Deputy Moss Metcalf was shot and killed while attempting to break up a disturbance in front of a store near the Wilson-Berger Mine.
Deputy Metcalf had been called to the scene to quell an argument between four people. Shots were fired when he attempted to arrest one of the men who was holding a pistol and he was struck 10 ten times.
It is believed that the men staged the argument in order to lure Deputy Metcalf to the scene to kill him for revenge. Deputy Metcalf's brother, who was also a deputy, shot and killed the brother of one the men during an arrest the previous summer.
Two of the men were arrested a short time after the murder. Only one was tried for murder and he was acquitted.
Deputy Metcalf had served as a deputy for 18 months and had previously served with the Harlan Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, parents, sister, and five brothers.
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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Metcalf gave the Harlan County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Metcalf.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has lost 36 officers; 36 of them killed feloniously.
Moss is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Moss is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Moss 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 1927, 1 officer at Harlan County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1927, 17 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Moss was 30. Of the 35 killed feloniously at Harlan County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 48.5; the middle age was 44. Moss had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Moss was 30. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Moss had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Moss was 30. 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. Moss had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Moss was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Moss had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.1% of these deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 19.4%. Saturdays: 16.7%.
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 36 deaths at Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Harlan County Sheriff's Office has 36 officers remembered here, Moss among them.
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Carlo Brummet Jul 26, 1907
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Samuel Henry Bailey
Nov 15, 1911
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Neil Christian Jul 6, 1912
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George Dean Aug 27, 1916
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Wilburn Taylor Mar 29, 1917
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Richard Johnson Apr 6, 1919
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David L. Elliott Apr 7, 1919
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William Marion Stewart
Jun 2, 1921
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Jesse Peters Jun 30, 1923
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Will Pace
Nov 20, 1925
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Harve Pace
Feb 18, 1926
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James Fee Aug 18, 1926
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Moss J. Metcalf May 21, 1927
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W. Floyd Ball Jul 6, 1928
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John J. Hensley Jul 6, 1928
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Walter Eldridge Mar 1, 1929
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Jessie J. Pace
Apr 17, 1931
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Jim Daniels May 5, 1931
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Arthur Lee May 5, 1931
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Berry Hensley
Sep 26, 1931
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Owen Woodford Sizemore Dec 25, 1931
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Henderson Ramsey Jan 7, 1932
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Isaac Pennington
Apr 16, 1933
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John C. Carnes Apr 20, 1933
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Bige Gross Apr 15, 1934
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William Ray Brittain
Nov 10, 1934
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Guy Rogers Dec 23, 1934
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Frank J. Minton Jan 26, 1936
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Lawrence Johnson Sep 30, 1937
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Joseph Willie Pruitt Mar 20, 1940
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John Middleton Aug 16, 1943
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Clyde Fee
May 9, 1954
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Oscar Burkhart
Nov 7, 1968
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Jack Brock
Dec 7, 1971
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Orie A. Hicks
Oct 8, 1972
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Wilson McLain
Apr 17, 1976
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
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