Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Mose Littrell was shot and killed on East Highway 80 near Short Creek, Kentucky after stopping to investigate a vehicle that was parked on the shoulder.
Patrolman Littrell was off duty when he observed the car with several men drinking next to it. The officer stopped his vehicle, approached the men, and instructed them to remove the car from the highway and to stop drinking. One of the men challenged him and asked what authority Patrolman Littrell had, at which point he produced his badge.
Patrolman Littrell observed that one of the men had a gun and he returned to his car, put his pistol in his pocket, and informed two hitchhikers that one of the men had a gun and to come assist him with arresting the man. As Patrolman Littrell approached the three men, one of them opened fire without saying a word, striking Patrolman Littrell in the chest and hip. Patrolman Littrell was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the chest several times, killing him.
The two hitchhikers with Patrolman Littrell took him to Somerset General Hospital where he was attended to before being transported to a hospital in Lexington. Patrolman Littrell succumbed to his wounds the following morning. The two other suspects were arrested a short time later and charged with drunkenness.
Patrolman Littrell was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and grandfather.
Survivors
Patrolman Littrell was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and grandfather.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-FD9D0EFF- 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.
Patrolman Littrell served with the Kentucky Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Littrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Mose Hurt Littrell 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 Kentucky Highway Patrol, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mose Hurt Littrell's cause is highlighted.
How Mose Hurt Littrell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mose Hurt Littrell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mose Hurt Littrell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Kentucky Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
