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
- 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.
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 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 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
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Kentucky Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
