Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Patrolman Sylvester Turpin was shot and killed attempting to arrest a man who was intoxicated and creating a disturbance in his neighborhood.
The Paris police chief and another officer were preparing to leave for Lexington when they were notified of the problem. They picked up Patrolman Turpin and drove to the suspect's home to arrest him.
The police chief remained in the car as Patrolman Turpin went to the back door and the other officer went to the front door. As Patrolman Turpin attempted to open the door the man inside fired a shotgun through a window, striking him in the abdomen and killing him instantly.
Upon hearing the shot, the police chief ran to the back of the house and returned fire, striking the suspect in the head. The suspect died in a hospital later that night.
Patrolman Turpin had been sworn in only two days earlier to fill in for an officer who was sick.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-31E076C1- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Patrolman Turpin served with the Paris Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Patrolman Turpin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Patrolman Sylvester M. Turpin 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 Paris Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sylvester M. Turpin's cause is highlighted.
How Sylvester M. Turpin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sylvester M. Turpin is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sylvester M. Turpin was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Paris Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
