Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable John Coles was shot and killed after raiding a moonshine still approximately seven miles from Irvine, Kentucky.
He and the other officers had arrested two men at the still and brought them back to Ravenna. A third man followed the posse back to Ravenna and opened fire on them just as they reached the city limits. Constable Coles was shot three times but was able to return fire and wounded the subject five times. The man was arrested, treated by a local doctor, and placed in jail. Constable Coles was taken to the hospital in Richmond where he died of his wounds.
The suspect's murder trial ended with a hung jury on September 27, 1923. He was released a few months later.
Constable Coles was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Constable Coles was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-03B2332D- Stewardship
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- 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.
Constable Coles served with the Estill County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Irvine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Coles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable John Coles 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 Estill County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 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 Coles's cause is highlighted.
How John Coles Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Coles is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Coles was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Estill County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
