Henry Thomas Reed
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Henry Thomas Reed

Felonious
End of Watch August 21, 1920
Age 38
The Vigil Panel 39 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Henry Reed and Chief of Police Robert Philpot, of the Irvine Police Department, were shot and killed after being confronted by a special officer after arresting a man for bootlegging.

The special officer demanded that the prisoner be released. As they argued with the officer a crowd developed and the prisoner's family were able to take him from the officers. A shootout ensued in which Deputy Reed and Chief Philpot were both shot and killed.

The special officer and a brother of the prisoner were both arrested and charged with murder.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3BF75E8E
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Henry. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Reed served with the Estill County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Irvine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reed.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Irvine, Estill County, KY
Platform Identity ecso.estill.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 21, 1920
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Henry Thomas Reed 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 Estill County Sheriff's 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.

Estill County Sheriff's Department
4
of 4 officers
100% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry Thomas Reed's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Henry Thomas Reed Compares

Age at Death
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry Thomas Reed is highlighted in Aug.

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. Henry Thomas Reed was killed by handgun.

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

Others Who Wore This Badge

3 officers from Estill County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.