Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Elihu Simpson was shot and killed from ambush in the Blackmont section of the county while en route to serve a warrant. After being shot, Deputy Simpson's body was robbed of his money and gun.
A 26-year-old suspect was arrested and convicted of his murder. On November 29, 1929, he was granted a new trial and released after posting bail. That same day he and his brother were shot and killed by two men they got into an argument with at a hotel in Blackmont.
Deputy Simpson was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Deputy Simpson was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1F23B51B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Simpson served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Simpson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Elihu L. Simpson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elihu L. Simpson's cause is highlighted.
How Elihu L. Simpson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elihu L. Simpson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elihu L. Simpson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
