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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bob Wright was shot and killed as he, a prohibition officer, and several other deputies served a search a warrant at a boarding house in Burdine.
The officers arrived at the house shortly after midnight and announced that they had a warrant. The occupants refused to let them enter and demanded they leave. After several minutes the officers entered the first level of the home while the occupants remained on the top level.
Upon finding several containers of wine the prohibition officer and Deputy Wright started to go up the stairs to arrest the occupants. As they did so one of the men opened fire, striking Deputy Wright.
He was taken to a local hospital where he died approximately 30 minutes later. The subject who shot Deputy Wright was arrested without further incident.
Deputy Wright had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office for only two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wright served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 16 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 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 1 officer at Letcher County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 2.
In 1926, 22 officers in KY were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 39. Of the 15 killed feloniously at Letcher County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 45; the middle age was 39. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 0.6 years.
James was 39. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 39. 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. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 12.5% of these deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 25%.
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.2% of all 19 deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has 19 officers remembered here, James among them.
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William S. Wright
Jan 30, 1900
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William Wright
Apr 11, 1901
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James Day May 30, 1904
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Henry Day Feb 5, 1905
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Miles Hall Nov 1, 1921
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Charles Willard McKinney Nov 26, 1923
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James Robert Wright Jun 13, 1926
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Patrick Hagans Bates Jul 16, 1927
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Jesse Fulton Aug 21, 1927
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Joner Cornett Sep 2, 1928
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W. H. Carter
Feb 17, 1929
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Ebb Gibson Jun 6, 1930
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Jason Andrew Webb
Dec 24, 1931
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James T. Morgan Dec 18, 1932
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David Galloway
Dec 20, 1947
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Willard Hall
Dec 20, 1947
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Conley Potter
Aug 8, 1958
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Leonard Adams, Sr. Dec 6, 1961
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Raymond Warf
Oct 31, 1970
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
