Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Nick Bodkin was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to break up a disturbance at a local saloon across the street from the Covington police station on Court Avenue.
A Covington policeman had become intoxicated and started a quarrel with two patrons of the saloon. As Deputy Bodkin and another deputy attempted to separate the group, the policeman pulled out his gun and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Bodkin and wounding the second deputy.
The policeman was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years at hard labor.
Deputy Bodkin was survived by his wife, five children, and four siblings.
Survivors
Deputy Bodkin was survived by his wife, five children, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-131A623F- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bodkin served with the Kenton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Covington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bodkin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Bodkin 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 Kenton County Sheriff'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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas Bodkin's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas Bodkin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas Bodkin is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas Bodkin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kenton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
