Benton Sizemore

Breathitt County Jail — Jackson, KY

Felonious

End of Watch April 28, 1940

Age 25

The Vigil Panel 76 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Jailer Benton Sizemore was shot and killed while responding to the scene of a shooting involving the county jailer.

The county jailer and his wife were visiting relatives when a truck full of assailants pulled up and opened fire on them, fatally wounding the jailer. The jailer and one of the occupants had been involved in an argument earlier in the week.

Deputy Jailer Sizemore was on duty at the jail when he was notified of the incident. He and another person started towards the shooting scene when they encountered the suspects coming towards them. The suspects opened fire on them, fatally wounding Deputy Jailer Sizemore.

Five suspects were eventually taken into custody, charged with the murders, and released after posting bonds. Charges were dismissed two years later after two mistrials.

Deputy jailer Sizemore was survived by his wife and two children.

Survivors

Deputy jailer Sizemore was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-101D869E
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Jailer Sizemore served with the Breathitt County Jail.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Jailer Sizemore.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Breathitt County Jail

Location Jackson, KY

Platform Identity bcjcorr.mercer.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 28, 1940

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Rifle

Offender Charges dismissed

Deputy Jailer Benton Sizemore 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 Breathitt County Jail, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Breathitt County Jail

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious