Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Brookshire was shot and killed by bootleggers during an investigation. He and the Irvine police chief had stopped a couple on horseback and the sheriff asked to search the wife's saddlebags. The husband refused to let the officers search the bag without a warrant. The Irvine chief returned to town to obtain a warrant and as he returned with another deputy they heard several gun shots. When they made it back to the scene they found Sheriff Brookshire dead. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to death in May 1928. He appealed, received a second trial, and was sentenced to life.
Survivors
Sheriff Brookshire was survived by his wife, who was appointed to serve her husband's remaining term as sheriff.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-2105FF51- 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.
Sheriff Brookshire served with the Estill County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Irvine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Brookshire.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Arthur J. Brookshire 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 Estill County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 4 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. Arthur J. Brookshire's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur J. Brookshire Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur J. Brookshire is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur J. Brookshire was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Estill County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
