Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Alvin Keown was shot and killed when he responded to a gun call at a tavern located at Seventh and Arcade in Louisville. The suspect was fleeing out of the back door when he confronted Patrolman Keown and shot him. The suspect was later apprehended and executed in 1955. Patrolman Keown was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and the recipient of a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He had served with the Jefferson County Police Department for 16 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-BED7BB75- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Keown gave the Jefferson County Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Alvin Lee Keown served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Alvin Lee Keown is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jefferson County Police Department, 5 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alvin Lee Keown's cause is highlighted.
How Alvin Lee Keown Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alvin Lee Keown is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alvin Lee Keown was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Jefferson County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
