Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Walter Meek was shot and killed while attempting to serve a lunacy warrant on a mentally deranged man along Route 23 behind the Paul B. Hall Medical Center. The subject committed suicide after murdering Sheriff Meek. In addition to serving as sheriff, Sheriff Meek was also a well known barber in Paintsville, Kentucky.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EB8725E0- 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.
Sheriff Meek served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Paintsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Meek.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Walter Emery Meek 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 Johnson County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Emery Meek's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Emery Meek Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Emery Meek is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Emery Meek was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
