Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Deputy Constable

James S. "Sol" Saylor

Harlan County Constable's Office — Harlan, KY

Felonious

End of Watch May 15, 1932

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 64 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Deputy Constable Sol Saylor was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man in the Wallins Creek community.

The subject had just been released from the federal penitentiary in Atlanta after serving a two year term. When Deputy Saylor arrived at the man's home to arrest him the man resisted. He opened fire on Constable Saylor with .45 caliber handgun, striking him twice in the chest. Despite being wounded, Constable Saylor was able to return fire and struck the subject twice, mortally wounding him. He died the next day.

Deputy Constable Saylor was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Deputy Constable Saylor was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-126AD920
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Constable Saylor served with the Harlan County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Saylor.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Harlan County Constable's Office

Location Harlan, KY

Platform Identity hcco.harlan.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 15, 1932

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Constable James S. "Sol" Saylor 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 Harlan County Constable's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Harlan County Constable's Office

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James S. "Sol" Saylor's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James S. "Sol" Saylor Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James S. "Sol" Saylor is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James S. "Sol" Saylor was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Harlan County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.