Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief West was shot and killed at 8:55 p.m. in a gun battle with a drunk man he and another officer attempted to arrest. The suspect was shot at least eight times and killed. Earlier in the day Chief West had arrested the suspect for being drunk in public. The suspect was released to another officer with the promise to appear in court the following day. That night as Chief West was patrolling with another officer they spotted the suspect on the south side of the Public Square in downtown Somerset. Chief West began to arrest the suspect when the offender pulled a revolver from his waist and began shooting at the Chief, striking him in the chest and right hand. Chief West was able to draw his own revolver using his left hand was able to get all 6 rounds off, striking the suspect several times. The officer patrolling with Chief West also shot the suspect, firing all 6 rounds from his weapon. The suspect died at the scene, while Chief West walked himself to the hospital located a few blocks away. The following day Chief West succumbed to his injuries and died around the same time he'd been shot the previous day.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-AD2DAF25- 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 West gave the Somerset Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police West.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Silas West 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 Somerset Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Silas West's cause is highlighted.
How Silas West Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Silas West is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Silas West was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Somerset Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
