Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Jimmy Tolson was shot and killed by an 19-year-old youth as he sat in city hall. Chief Tolson was sitting at his desk talking with his brother and his girlfriend when the suspect fired a single shot from a parked car across the street. The bullet, fired through the window, struck Chief Tolson in the head killing him instantly. Chief Tolson's brother grabbed his brother's service revolver and fired six shots at the suspect as he fled in his car. When the car was found it had been hit twice. The suspect was later arrested at his home. He shot Chief Tolson in retaliation for arresting his brother earlier for being drunk and causing a disturbance. The suspect died in prison on January 24, 1994. Chief Tolson had previously served as a Wolfe County deputy sheriff.
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BO-US-KY-20065633- 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.
Chief of Police Tolson served with the Campton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Campton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Tolson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Jimmy Ray Tolson 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. Jimmy Ray Tolson's cause is highlighted.
How Jimmy Ray Tolson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jimmy Ray Tolson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jimmy Ray Tolson was killed by rifle.