Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Jay Draughn was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on Main Street for being drunk in public.
Marshal Draughn knew the man, who was a candidate for county sheriff, and attempted to talk him into accompanying him to the police station. When the man drew his weapon Marshal Draughn told reminded him that they were friends and told him not to shoot. The man then opened fire, striking him four times.
The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. On June 17, 1916, Acting Governor Combs commuted his sentence to 21 years.
Marshal Draughn had served with the Hazard Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-467AC2D8- 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.
Town Marshal Draughn gave the Hazard Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Draughn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Rory Jay Draughn 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 97,759 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 Hazard 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. Rory Jay Draughn's cause is highlighted.
How Rory Jay Draughn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rory Jay Draughn is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rory Jay Draughn was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hazard Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
