Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Policeman Jesse Starks was shot and killed with his own service weapon after responding to a disturbance at a local theater.
When he arrived at the scene he discovered that his son-in-law had been ejected from it for causing a disturbance. The son-in-law and five relatives had then returned to the theater armed with weapons.
As Policeman Starks attempted to calm the situation his son-in-law pulled his service weapon from its holster and shot him.
The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years in prison. He was paroled in 1955. Two of his family members were sentenced to less than five years for aiding and abetting.
Policeman Starks had served with the Benton Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-AE9CB00E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Night Policeman Starks gave the Benton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Benton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Starks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman Jesse Starks 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 97,756 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse Starks's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse Starks Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse Starks is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse Starks was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Benton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.