Incident
Sheriff Roy Conway was shot in the back and killed in his front yard by two brothers angry over his crackdown on bootlegging and gambling. Sheriff Conway and his deputies had raided their father's drinking establishment earlier. Both brothers, 23 and 28, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 28, 1950. Sheriff Conway had been elected only six months earlier. He was survived by his wife and four daughters. His wife was appointed to serve the remainder of his term as sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-46A4437B- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roy. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Conway served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Conway.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Roy Conway 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 Pike County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy Conway's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Conway Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Conway is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy Conway was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.







