Incident
Deputy James Morgan suffered a fatal heart attack minutes after subduing a drunk and disorderly man. The man continued to resist arrest as the deputies took him to jail.
As Deputy Morgan left the jail he began to feel ill and went to a nearby drug store where he collapsed.
Deputy Morgan had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Morgan gave the Letcher County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morgan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Letcher County Sheriff's Office has lost 19 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in KY, 4.5% of the 984 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 1 officer in KY was lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 2024, with 4.
In 1932, 5 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 89th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1932, 5 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 89th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 50. Of the 41 lost to cardiac events in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 60; the middle age was 51. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
James was 50. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 50. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; February holds the most, 18.2%. Sundays: 11.4%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 15.8% of all 19 deaths at Letcher County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.5% of all 984 deaths in KY, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th 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
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.





