Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Bailey was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on his own son-in-law in the Wallins Creek area.
He succumbed to the gunshot wound early the following morning. His son-in-law was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. On April 20, 1912, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years.
Deputy Bailey was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Bailey was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-15FC07A8- 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 Bailey served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bailey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Henry Bailey 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 Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 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. Samuel Henry Bailey's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Henry Bailey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 21 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Henry Bailey is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Henry Bailey was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
