Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy James Day was shot and killed while attempting to arrest four men for dynamiting the Kentucky river, for the purpose of killing fish, that was illegal in Kentucky.
Upon hearing the explosions, Deputy Day went to the river and confronted the men. When he told them they were under arrest they opened fire on him. Despite being mortally wounded Deputy Day was able to return fire and wounded two of the men.
The subjects who shot Deputy Day, ages 24, 30, 30, and 34 were arrested and charged in connection with his murder. The four accused Deputy Day of firing on them first. Charges against all four, one the son of a state representative, were later dismissed
Deputy Day had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office for only three months.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-46D4BA5C- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Day served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Day.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Day 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 Letcher County Sheriff's Office, 16 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Day's cause is highlighted.
How James Day Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Day is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Day was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
