Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Steve Young was shot and killed near the Owsley County Courthouse at 5:10 pm by a man whom he had previously arrested for a liquor violation and was under indictment as a result.
The county jailer observed the man walking past the courthouse carrying a shotgun. Approximately two minutes later the man approached Marshal Young and shot him four times without saying a word.
After two trials ending with hung juries, the man, 27, was convicted of Marshal Young's murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 16, 1948.
Marshal Young had served with the Booneville Police Department for one year.
City Marshal Young, On today, the 75th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Booneville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol September 10th, 2022
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-0B6FEAD3- 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 Steve. 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
You barely got started.
City Marshal Young gave the Booneville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Booneville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Young.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Steve Young 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steve Young's cause is highlighted.
How Steve Young Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steve Young is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steve Young was killed by shotgun.