Joshua C. Phipps
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Joshua C. Phipps

Felonious
End of Watch September 16, 2024
Age 38
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 183 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Josh Phipps was shot and killed while pursuing a fleeing suspect on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs.

Deputy Phipps was assisting the Kentucky State Police in apprehending a suspect who had fled on foot. During the encounter with the suspect at 5:27 p.m., gunfire was exchanged. Deputy Phipps was transported to the Russell County Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The suspect died from his wounds at the hospital.

Deputy Phipps had served with the Russell County Sheriff's Office for three years and previously served with the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Survivors

He is survived by his parents, sister, and nephew.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-B65A2771
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 Phipps gave the Russell County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jamestown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Phipps.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Jamestown, Russell County, KY
Platform Identity rcso.russell.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 16, 2024
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Deputy Sheriff Joshua C. Phipps 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%.

Russell County Sheriff's Office
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joshua C. Phipps's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Joshua C. Phipps Compares

Age at Death
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joshua C. Phipps is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joshua C. Phipps was killed by gun; unknown type.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Russell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.