Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Darrell Phelps was shot and killed while he and another officer moved through a marijuana field. Detective Phelps was investigating illegal cultivation of marijuana in Edmonson County The suspect was convicted of Detective Phelps' murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison on September 4, 1981, and was released on February 13, 2013 after serving the minimum expiration sentence. Detective Phelps had been with the agency for 12 years and was survived by his wife, daughter and son. He is buried at Union Cemetery in Quality, Kentucky. In honor of his service and sacrifice, an eight-mile stretch of Kentucky highway 1153 in Butler County has been designated the Detective Darrell V. Phelphs Memorial Highway.
Survivors
Detective Phelps had been with the agency for 12 years and was survived by his wife, daughter and son.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-CA403EFB- Stewardship
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- 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.
Detective Phelps gave the Kentucky State Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Phelps.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Darrell Vendl Phelps 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 KY State Police, 12 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Darrell Vendl Phelps's cause is highlighted.
How Darrell Vendl Phelps Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Darrell Vendl Phelps is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Darrell Vendl Phelps was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from KY State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
