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Incident
Town Marshal Tom Roach was shot and killed while attempting to disarm a county deputy who had gotten into a personal argument with a store clerk.
The store's owner ordered the deputy to leave the store, before stepping outside himself. When the store owner left the deputy pulled out his gun and attempted to search the clerk. Marshal Roach, who was standing nearby, put himself between the two and as he attempted to take the gun away from the deputy he was shot in the abdomen.
The deputy was arrested and charged with murder.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Roach served with the Barbourville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Barbourville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Barbourville Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Tom is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Tom is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Tom 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 1898, 1 officer at Barbourville Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1898, 6 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
December holds 60% of these deaths at Barbourville Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 60%.
December holds 11.5% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Saturdays: 19%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Barbourville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.5% 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 handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Barbourville Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Tom among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Barbourville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
