Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Morgan was shot and killed in Hyden by a local prominent citizen over an election dispute. The suspect barricaded himself in the Citizens National Bank as fighting broke out among local citizens, some who wanted to lynch the suspect, others who considered him a hero for killing the sheriff. The Governor called out the Kentucky National Guard who restored law and order and arrested the suspect. The suspect, age 50, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-BBED9837- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Sheriff Morgan served with the Leslie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hyden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Morgan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Joe Morgan 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 Leslie County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe Morgan's cause is highlighted.
How Joe Morgan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Morgan is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe Morgan was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Leslie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
