Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Thomas Tackett was shot and killed when he and another man investigated a car that was stopped in the middle of a roadway.
Deputy Tackett and his friend were returning to the deputy's home after transporting a prisoner to jail. When they came across the car in the road, they stopped to offer assistance, believing the car was stalled. As the two approached the car, Deputy Tackett's friend observed one of the men inside the vehicle hide something behind his back. Thinking the man had a gun, the friend drew his weapon and ordered the man to show his hands.
As Deputy Tackett approached the car, he identified himself as a deputy and was immediately shot by one of the occupants. Deputy Tackett's friend immediately returned fire as the suspects fled. The three men, including a father and son, were arrested a short time later and charged with murder. The father was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Deputy Tackett was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Tackett was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7433F484- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Tackett served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tackett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas C. Tackett 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 Pike County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas C. Tackett's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas C. Tackett Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 21 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas C. Tackett is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas C. Tackett was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
