Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Richard Coffee succumbed to gunshot wounds he received in front of the Greenup Courthouse on June 25, 1934. Patrolman Coffee had ordered a man to keep his dog in his yard because his neighbors complained that the dog had tried to bite them. The man, angered over the order, went home, obtained a gun, returned to the courthouse, and shot Patrolman Coffee in the leg and hip. He was transported to King's Daughters Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds five days later. The suspect, 57, was convicted of Patrolman Coffee's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was granted parole in 1943. Patrolman Coffee had served with the Greenup Police Department for at least seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-1B7B6D13- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Coffee gave the Greenup Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenup community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Coffee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Richard D. Coffee 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard D. Coffee's cause is highlighted.
How Richard D. Coffee Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard D. Coffee is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard D. Coffee was killed by gun; unknown type.