Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Ambrose Metcalfe was shot and killed as he and his wife got out of their automobile in front of the Shields Cafe in Shields. Two men were arrested by state police several hours later and charged with his murder.
In 1943, Ambrose Metcalfe was appointed chief of the newly formed Harlan County Police Force, which was set up at the insistence of Harlan County citizens who demanded more vigorous law enforcement, especially for alcohol violations, in their legally dry county. His six-year career was a stormy one, with numerous run-ins with both the lawless and other law enforcement officers. It was not the first attempt at killing him. A few weeks prior, dynamite caps were placed in his engine, causing his car to explode. And he had shot and wounded during a raid.
The cafe that Chief Metcalfe was killed in front of belonged to one of the suspects. Chief Metcalfe had raided the cafe on several occasions and had charged the suspect with illegal possession of whiskey.
On October 28, 1949, in spite of the fact that Chief Metcalfe's wife and another witness testified that they saw the suspect shoot her husband five times, he was acquitted. The second suspect was not indicted by the grand jury. On November 14, 1949, he was shot and killed by an unknown gunman as he left the Harlan Theater.
The Harlan County Police Department no longer exists. Chief Metcalfe was its first and only police chief. No one would take his place.
Survivors
He was a United States Army World War II veteran and was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EFB7C305- 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.
Chief Metcalfe gave the Harlan County Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Thank you 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
Ambrose Metcalfe served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief Ambrose Metcalfe 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 Harlan County Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ambrose Metcalfe's cause is highlighted.
How Ambrose Metcalfe Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ambrose Metcalfe is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Harlan County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
