Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Phillip Meacham was shot and killed while assisting another officer investigate a police impersonator on Paulette Court at approximately 5:10 pm.
Officer Meacham, who was off-duty, observed the vehicle behind him operating with blue lights. The vehicle passed Officer Meacham and turned onto another street. Officer Meacham began to follow the vehicle and requested a uniformed officer respond to the area. The man turned onto Paulette Court, a dead-end street, as Officer Meacham remained nearby until the uniformed officer arrived at the scene.
The officers approached the man who was now working on a truck in his driveway. When they approached him the man drew a firearm and shot Officer Meacham, killing him. The man fled on foot, stole a truck, and fled to Clarksville, Tennessee. He was located in Clarksville by local officers and United States Marshals. He was shot and killed as the officers attempted to take him into custody.
Officer Meacham had served with the Hopkinsville Police Department for one year and had previously served with the Christian County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-9B4FD5A1- 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.
Police Officer Meacham gave the Hopkinsville Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hopkinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Meacham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Phillip Lynn Meacham 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 Hopkinsville Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Phillip Lynn Meacham's cause is highlighted.
How Phillip Lynn Meacham Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Phillip Lynn Meacham is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Phillip Lynn Meacham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hopkinsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
