Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Samuel Catron was shot and killed in an assassination while leaving a political rally at the Shopville-Stab Fire Department in Shopville, Kentucky, at 7:15 p.m.
He has just given a campaign speech for the upcoming election in which he was running for his fifth term as sheriff. A suspect shot Sheriff Catron in the head with a high-powered rifle as he placed two cakes he had just purchased from a fundraiser into his patrol car. Sheriff Catron was wearing a vest at the time.
The suspect then attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle but was apprehended by a deputy and a firefighter several miles away. The suspect was charged with capital murder. Two other suspects, including one of Sheriff Catron's former deputies and opponent in the election, were also charged with complicity to murder. Two of the suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One died in prison in 2018. The shooter and opponent in the election will be up for parole in 2027.
Sheriff Catron's father, Harold Catron Sr., was shot and killed in the line of duty on September 16, 1964, while serving as Chief of Police for the Somerset, Kentucky, Police Department.
Sheriff Catron had been with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department for 28 years and had served as sheriff since 1986.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-095D520A- 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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Catron gave the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Catron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Samuel Wilson Catron 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 Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Wilson Catron's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Wilson Catron Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Wilson Catron is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Wilson Catron was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Pulaski County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
