Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief William Holcomb and Policeman James Coldiron were shot and killed while investigating a complaint that a miner had brought a firearm into the U.S. Coal and Coke Company mine.
The mine foreman had caught the man with the gun and reported it to the police chief. The chief, Policeman Coldiron, and the foreman located the man, along with three other men, in the company's bathhouse. As they spoke all four men opened fire, killing Chief Holcomb, Policeman Coldiron, and the foreman.
Two of the suspects were wounded by return fire and all four were taken into custody. All four were tried and acquitted. In 1932 one was shot and killed in Harlan County. In 1933 two were charged with another murder in Harlan County. One of them died before the trial.
Chief Holcomb was survived by his wife and 10 children.
Survivors
Chief Holcomb was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-B9912A38- 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.
Chief of Police Holcomb served with the Lynch Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lynch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Holcomb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William R. Holcomb 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 Lynch 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. William R. Holcomb's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Holcomb Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Holcomb is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Holcomb was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lynch Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
