Incident
Deputy Sheriff Patrick Bates succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained six days earlier when he was shot while making an arrest.
The 48-year-old subject was arrested ten days later and charged with Deputy Bates' murder. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years. He died in prison March 22, 1929.
Deputy Bates had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office for only two weeks. He was survived by his wife and two children. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-6A8154D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bates served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Patrick Hagans Bates is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Letcher County Sheriff's Office, 16 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Patrick Hagans Bates's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick Hagans Bates Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick Hagans Bates is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick Hagans Bates was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.





