Thomas Walton Centers
Agency patch
Constable

Thomas Walton Centers

Felonious
End of Watch October 14, 1939
Age 67
The Vigil Panel 76 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable Tom Centers was shot and killed while attempting to keep the peace during an argument between two men who were playing cards in Clayhole, Kentucky.

One of the men went to his home, obtained a .38 caliber pistol, then returned and shot Constable Centers multiple times. Despite being mortally wounded, Constable Centers was able to return fire and wounded the man critically. The 43-year-old suspect recovered, was tried, and acquitted.

Rest in peace Constable Centers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis August 8th, 2022

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-2C04191C
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.
Constable Centers served with the Breathitt County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Centers.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Jackson, KY
Platform Identity bcco.mercer.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 14, 1939
Age 67
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Constable Thomas Walton Centers 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 Breathitt County Constable's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Breathitt County Constable's Office
5
of 5 officers
100% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Walton Centers's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Thomas Walton Centers Compares

Age at Death
67
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Walton Centers is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Walton Centers was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location