Roll of Honor
Incident
Posseman John Doyle and Deputy Sheriff Charles Cecil were shot and killed at a saloon near Middlesboro as they attempted to arrest several subjects who had stolen mules.
As they arrived on the scene with several other posse members the bartender fired from a window killing Deputy Cecil. His companions returned fire killing the bartender. In an ensuing gun battle Posseman Doyle and several of the suspects were killed. Several others escaped.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-AB7007CA- 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.
Posseman Doyle served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Posseman Doyle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Posseman John Doyle 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 Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Doyle's cause is highlighted.
How John Doyle Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Doyle is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Doyle was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
