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
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.
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

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
Offender Acquitted

Constable Thomas Walton Centers 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 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
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% 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
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Thomas Walton Centers Compares

Age at End of Watch
67
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

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
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
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.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location