Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper William Pickard was shot and killed while assisting the Hodgenville Police Department in serving an assault and menacing warrant. When Trooper Pickard attempted to talk to the subject and approached the home. The subject fired through the door, striking Trooper Pickard, who was mortally wounded. The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Trooper Pickard had served with the Kentucky State Police for over three years. He was survived by his wife, son, mother, grandmother, and sister. A five-mile stretch of KY 61 in Larue County was renamed the “Trooper William F. Pickard Memorial Highway.”
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, mother, grandmother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-8406959E- 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.
Trooper Pickard gave the Kentucky State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Pickard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper William Francis Pickard 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 KY State Police, 12 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Francis Pickard's cause is highlighted.
How William Francis Pickard Compares
Offender Outcome
Life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Francis Pickard is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Francis Pickard was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from KY State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
