Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Conley was shot and killed from ambush at Yellow Mountain, Knott County.
Deputy Conley, who also was the area's school teacher, was walking home school for lunch with his nephews when he was shot from ambush by a subject concealed in nearby bushes. It is believed he was shot in retaliation for local law enforcement's war on moonshining in the area. He was the third deputy to be ambushed in three weeks, and the first fatally wounded.
Deputy Conley was survived by his wife, several children, and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Conley was survived by his wife, several children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-52BE1A55- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Conley served with the Knott County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hindman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Conley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Conley 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 97,756 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 Knott County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Conley's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Conley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Conley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Conley was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Knott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
