Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Hodge Cunningham, Guard V.B. Mattingly and Guard William Gilbert were shot and killed by inmates who were attempting to take over the dining room at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville.
The three suspects were found dead three days later after officers stormed the dining facility; One had been killed during the ensuing standoff and the other two had committed suicide.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7C075131- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Cunningham served with the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Cunningham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Hodge Cunningham 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 Kentucky Department of Corrections, 9 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hodge Cunningham's cause is highlighted.
How Hodge Cunningham Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hodge Cunningham is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hodge Cunningham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Kentucky Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
