Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Kavanaugh Tipton and Deputy Sheriff Thomas Howard were shot and killed by a horse thief they attempted to arrest in a house near the head of Peter Trace Creek in Menifee County.
The suspect opened fire as the officers entered the house, killing Jailer Tipton and Deputy Howard, and seriously wounded another deputy. The wounded deputy tried to pursue the suspect as he fled from the house but was attacked by two dogs that nearly killed him. The suspect was captured by a posse the next day.
The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 20th, 1892. He died in prison on September 7th, 1893, from typhoid fever.
Kavanaugh, On today, the 130th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Montgomery County.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol July 26th, 2022
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-2E3D17CA- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Jailer Tipton served with the Montgomery County Regional Jail.
Thank you for your service to the Mt. Sterling community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer Kavanaugh Tipton 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 Montgomery County Regional Jail, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kavanaugh Tipton's cause is highlighted.
How Kavanaugh Tipton Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kavanaugh Tipton is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kavanaugh Tipton was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Montgomery County Regional Jail are honored on badge.nw.
