Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy James Stubblefield succumbed to gunshot wound sustained two days earlier while attempting to arrest a man on an outstanding warrant.
When Deputy Stubblefield encountered the man, the man attempted to leave the scene. When the deputy told him a second time that he was under arrest the man pulled out his pistol and fired, mortally wounding Deputy Stubblefield.
The suspect shot and killed Deputy Bill Lewis two months later as the deputy attempted to arrest him.
Both murders were a result of the Philpott-Griffin Feud. The deputies' murderer, Mart Smith, was reportedly shot and killed by a famous feudist, General May, in Knox County in 1909. As a result of the Philpott-Griffin Feud several men including law enforcement were killed in 1899.
It is important to note that many feuds occurred in Kentucky, and information about officers, who lost their life as a result of them, is often confusing, contradictory, and refuted by others.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-516E573C- 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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Stubblefield served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Manchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Stubblefield 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 Clay County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Stubblefield's cause is highlighted.
How James Stubblefield Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Stubblefield is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Stubblefield was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
