Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sean Pursifull was killed when his parked patrol car was intentionally rammed by a suspect fleeing a Kentucky State Police trooper. The two juvenile suspects in the car had just stolen gas from a service station in Baxter and then fled down U.S. 119.
As the occupants fled from the state troopers, the driver crossed the center line and rammed Deputy Pursifull's patrol car, which was stopped near the county line as the pursuit entered Bell County. Deputy Pursifull and his canine partner, King, were both killed.
The two suspects were taken into custody and charged with murder and assault on a service animal. The driver of the vehicle later pleaded guilty to wanton murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Deputy Pursifull is survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Pursifull is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EE7EAC58- Stewardship
- 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 Pursifull served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pursifull.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Anthony Pursifull is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Anthony Pursifull's cause is highlighted.
How Anthony Pursifull Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anthony Pursifull is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anthony Pursifull was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
