Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Jim Sizemore was shot and killed in the county courthouse by a man who was seeking revenge against the chief for an incident that had occurred several months earlier.
The man's father and uncle had been shot and killed in a shooting two months earlier when another officer attempted to arrest one of the men. The man's family attacked the officer and beat him. As one of the family members sat on the officer, another family member shot at the officer, but accidentally fatally shot the family member.
During the ensuing shooting, the other family member was killed. The suspect who shot Chief Sizemore had blamed the chief for not preventing the incident.
The two men were eventually acquitted after the county attempted to hold a trial but could not find jurors not already informed of the events. The county ran out of funds for the cost of the trial before they could start.
Chief Sizemore was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Chief Sizemore was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EABA91F3- 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.
Chief of Police Sizemore served with the Prestonsburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Prestonsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Sizemore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Sizemore 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 Prestonsburg Police Department, 7 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 87.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Sizemore's cause is highlighted.
How James Sizemore Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Sizemore is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Prestonsburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
