Doc Lefler

Ashland Police Department — Ashland, KY

Felonious

End of Watch July 4, 1921

Age 52

The Vigil Panel 41 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Doc. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Department Ashland Police Department

Location Ashland, KY

Platform Identity apd.boyd.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 4, 1921

Age 52

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Not available

Patrolman Doc Lefler 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 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.

Ashland Police Department

of 6 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious