Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Sam Green was shot and killed by a suspect while serving a warrant as a result of a domestic disturbance earlier in the day.
He was assisting the city police department and had gone to the home with a city police officer. The city officer went to the front door and Sheriff Green went to the back door. As the sheriff approached the back door, the suspect fired a 16 gauge shotgun through the door, striking him.
The suspect then stole Sheriff Green's gun and attempted to flee. He then shot and wounded the city police officer as the officer came around the house after hearing the gunfire. The suspect was arrested approximately 45 minutes later. The man was sentenced to life in prison but released after serving only 12 years. He later died of tuberculosis.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-51096606- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Green gave the Rowan County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Morehead community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Green.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Sam L. Green 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 Rowan County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Sam L. Green's cause is highlighted.
How Sam L. Green Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sam L. Green is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rowan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
