Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Wes Perkins was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to stop a car whose occupants they suspected of firing several shots from the vehicle.
Marshal Perkins had heard several shots fired in town in the middle of the night and was told they came from a dark colored car. He summoned a Whitley County deputy jailer and set off to locate the vehicle.
They found the vehicle on Main Street and attempted to flag it down. When it didn't stop, Marshal Perkins fired a shot in the air attempting to get its attention. The vehicle turned around and when it approached Marshal Perkins' position shots were exchanged. Marshal Perkins was fatally wounded and the two occupants of the car were wounded.
One of the subjects in the car was convicted of manslaughter in connection with Marshal Perkins' death and sentenced to 12 years.
Rest in peace Town Marshal Perkins.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis July 8th, 2021
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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.
Town Marshal Perkins served with the Williamsburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Perkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal J. Wes Perkins 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. J. Wes Perkins's cause is highlighted.
How J. Wes Perkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 12 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Wes Perkins is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Wes Perkins was killed by gun; unknown type.