Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Manning was shot and killed as he and a Middlesboro police officer attempted to arrest a man for firing a gun into the air. The suspect was known to taunt officers by firing into the air and fleeing town, outside of their jurisdiction.
Deputy Manning observed the man fire the gun and then went to obtain a warrant for the man. After obtaining the warrant he and the Middlesboro officer located the man a short distance away. When they called out to him the man immediately opened fire.
The officers returned fire and then Deputy Manning chased the suspect on foot. Deputy Manning lost sight of the man but stopped to ask two boys if they had seen him. As he spoke to them the suspect opened fire from a hiding spot, fatally wounding Deputy Manning.
The other officer returned fire, striking the suspect several times. Despite being wounded the man fled into the woods but was arrested by a posse a short time later.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C0351A25- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Manning 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, Deputy Sheriff Manning.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Manning 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. Joseph Manning's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Manning Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Manning is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Manning was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
