Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Doc Lefler was shot and killed as he and Officers Hunt and Erwin attempted to arrest a man for assaulting his wife. The officers surrounded the home of suspect and Officer Lefler entered and placed the suspect under arrest. As Officer Lefler led the suspect away from the house he stopped to wait for the other officers, releasing his hold on the suspect. The suspect pulled a gun from his pocket and shot Officer Lefler multiple times at close range, killing him, and then fired on Officers Hunt and Erwin, striking Officer Hunt twice in the leg. The two officers fired back and struck the suspect, however, the suspect escaped.
Survivors
Patrolman Lefler was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7B904F38- 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.
Patrolman Lefler served with the Ashland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lefler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Doc Lefler 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 Ashland Police Department, 6 of 6 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. Doc Lefler's cause is highlighted.
How Doc Lefler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Doc Lefler is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Doc Lefler was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Ashland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
