George Prentice Southwood
Agency patch
Marshal

George Prentice Southwood

Burnside Police Department — Burnside, KY
Felonious
End of Watch September 30, 1948
Age 43
The Vigil Panel 85 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Marshal Prentice Southwood was shot and killed at the Burnside Bridge by a local constable he attempted to arrest for drunkenness. The constable opened fire with a pistol as Marshal Southwood approached his truck. The 63-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His sentence was later commuted to 21 years. On May 22, 1959, Governor Chandler granted him full citizenship rights. So, he was released at some point before that date.

Survivors

survivor. She perseveres to raise four amazing kids, never remarries, and does not sell the farm, thereby preserving the farm for future generations.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-756030E4
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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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Southwood served with the Burnside Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Burnside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Southwood.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Burnside, Pulaski County, KY
Platform Identity bpd.pulaski.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 30, 1948
Age 43
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Marshal George Prentice Southwood is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 22.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At Burnside Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Burnside Police Department
4
of 4 officers
100% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,559
of 32,586 officers
53.9% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Prentice Southwood's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,559 (53.9%)
Accident
10,094 (31%)
Illness
3,037 (9.3%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
334 (1%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)

How George Prentice Southwood Compares

Age at End of Watch
43
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Prentice Southwood is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Prentice Southwood was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location