Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Fred Cole succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to arrest a drunk and disorderly subject on Carver Road in Magoffin County.
He was taken to a hospital in Paintsville, where he died the following day.
In March of 1933, the suspect, who was a convicted felon, was apprehended in Jasper County, Indiana, after he was caught stealing several sets of harnesses from local farmers. He was returned to Magoffin County and was sentenced to two years for Deputy Cole's murder.
Deputy Cole was survived by his wife, five children, mother, two brothers, and five sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Cole was survived by his wife, five children, mother, two brothers, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-26D1A64B- 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 Cole served with the Magoffin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Salyersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cole.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Fred Cole 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 Magoffin County Sheriff's Office, 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. Fred Cole's cause is highlighted.
How Fred Cole Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to two years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Cole is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Cole was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Magoffin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
