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Incident
Deputy Marshal John Gill was shot and killed while assisting the another deputy marshal arrest a drunk and disorderly man.
They had taken the man into custody and were taking him to jail when they were approached by the town marshal of Farmers, Kentucky. The other town marshal leveled his pistol at the officers and ordered them to release the prisoner. The officer complied and the subjects then began to head towards the depot.
A posse was formed and went to the depot to recover the prisoner and take the other town marshal into custody. When the posse arrived at the depot the man opened fire, killing Deputy Marshal Gill and wounding another man before he was subdued.
The Farmers town marshal had forcibly abducted a girl the previous night and she was found at the depot and returned to her father. The town marshal was sentenced to 21 years in prison for Deputy Marshal Gill's murder. In 1893 the Kentucky governor rejected a request to pardon the man.
Deputy Gill was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Gill was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Marshal Gill served with the Mount Sterling Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Sterling community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mount Sterling Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1885, 3 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1885, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1885, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 28. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
John was 28. 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.
John was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Mount Sterling Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Mount Sterling Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mount Sterling Police Department are honored on badge.nw.