Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Charles West and Deputy Sheriff Foster Messer were shot and killed as they and another deputy attempted to serve a warrant on a man who had escaped from jail the previous week.
As they approached the man's home, they were fired upon from ambush. Jailer West and Deputy Messer were both killed, and the second deputy was wounded.
Six men were apprehended and charged with murder. One was convicted of murdering Jailer West and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Another was killed in a gunfight with another man four months later near Pineville.
Jailer West was survived by his ten children, sister, and 11 brothers.
Survivors
Jailer West was survived by his ten children, sister, and 11 brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EC9503C0- 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.
Jailer West served with the Knox County Detention Center.
Thank you for your service to the Barbourville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer Charles Archie West 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 Knox County Detention Center, 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. Charles Archie West's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Archie West Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Archie West is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Archie West was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Knox County Detention Center are honored on badge.nw.
