Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Simms was shot and killed by a man who became enraged when he was denied entrance to the county fair in Beattyville because he did not have a ticket.
When the man got loud and verbally abusive with the gatekeeper, Sheriff Simms stepped in and warned him to be quiet. The man then vented his anger on the sheriff, drew two revolvers, and shot the sheriff three times, killing him instantly. The local jailer who was nearby returned fire, wounding the suspect, and with the help of several citizens, subdued him.
The next morning, an angry mob forced its way into the county jail, seized the suspect, and hanged him.
Sheriff Simms had been sheriff of Lee County for two years and was up for reelection with no opposition.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-07520AC3- 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
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Simms gave the Lee County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beattyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William Simms 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 Lee County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. William Simms's cause is highlighted.
How William Simms Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Simms is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Simms was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
