Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Brooks and Deputy Robert Smith were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on three men wanted for robbing a miner. He had deputized four men, including John Brooks, to assist with the arrests.
As Deputy Smith read the warrant to the three men one of them produced a handgun and opened fire, striking him in the abdomen. A shootout ensued between the three suspects and five officers in which Deputy Brooks and one of the suspects were killed.
The other two suspects fled the scene but were both quickly arrested. Deputy Smith succumbed to his wounds the following day.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-400A5BD3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputized Civilian Brooks served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Barbourville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputized Civilian Brooks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputized Civilian John Brooks 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 Knox County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Brooks's cause is highlighted.
How John Brooks Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Brooks is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Brooks was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
