Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Claude "Rooster" Flinchum was shot and killed while waiting for his backup units to arrive after responding to the scene of a disturbance call. The 36-year-old suspect was apprehended by the state police. Deputy Flinchum had served with the Wolfe County Sheriff's Department for one year.
Survivors
A Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, he was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-8C3737D5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Claude is one person.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Flinchum gave the Wolfe County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Campton 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
Claude E. Flinchum served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Claude E. Flinchum 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 97,756 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 Wolfe County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. Claude E. Flinchum's cause is highlighted.
How Claude E. Flinchum Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude E. Flinchum is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude E. Flinchum was killed by shotgun.
Military Service
Claude E. Flinchum served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Claude E. Flinchum’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wolfe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
