Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy James Thacker was killed in an automobile crash on U.S. 460, just past Marrowbone Creek Road, at approximately 9:00 pm.
He was en route to Elkhorn City to serve civil papers towards the end of his shift when a speeding SUV crossed the center line and struck his patrol car head-on. The SUV then collided with another vehicle. Deputy Thacker succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle that caused the crash was charged with murder.
Deputy Thacker had served with the Pike County Sheriff's Department for one year and had previously served as an elected county constable for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters, four brothers, four sisters, and six grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-CC33BCBF- 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.
Special Deputy Thacker gave the Pike County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Thacker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy James Ireland Thacker is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 161 of 983 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 16.4% of this state's fallen. That is 14.6 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Pike County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 16 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 18.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Ireland Thacker's cause is highlighted.
How James Ireland Thacker Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James Ireland Thacker is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
