Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Robert Philpot and Deputy Sheriff Henry Reed, of the Estill County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed after being confronted by a special officer after arresting a man for bootlegging. The special officer demanded that the prisoner be released. As they argued with the officer a crowd developed and the prisoner's family were able to take him from the officers. A shootout ensued in which Deputy Reed and Chief Philpot were both shot and killed.
Survivors
Chief Philpot was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-2529C96F- 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.
Chief of Police Philpot served with the Irvine Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Irvine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Philpot.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Robert Philpot 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 Irvine Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Robert Philpot's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Philpot Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Philpot is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Philpot was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Irvine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
