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Incident
Town Marshal Joel Fergeson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man who was acting disorderly.
The man had drawn a pistol in an attempt to shoot another citizen, but Marshal Fergeson was able to disarm him. The man then went home, retrieved a shotgun, and returned to confront Marshal Jones. The man fired at Marshal Jones, who was able to knock the barrel away the shot went into the ground. The man then took several steps back and fired the second barrel, striking Marshal Fergeson in the groin.
Marshal Fergeson succumbed to his wounds several hours later.
Marshal Fergeson was survived by his wife and five siblings. He was predeceased by his infant son.
Survivors
Marshal Fergeson was survived by his wife and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Fergeson served with the Murray Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Murray community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Murray Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Joel is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Joel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joel 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 1880, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1880, 38 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1880, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joel was 53. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Joel was 53. 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.
Joel was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Murray Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Murray Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Murray Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
