Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Brittain was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight in a local restaurant. A 31-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder. A month later he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 7 years.
Survivors
Deputy Brittain was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1D65AF35- 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 Brittain 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 Brittain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Ray Brittain 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. William Ray Brittain's cause is highlighted.
How William Ray Brittain Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 7 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Ray Brittain is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Ray Brittain was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
