Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman Joseph Self was shot and killed while confronting the occupants of a car that had pulled up in front of the University of Kentucky's Mechanical Hall (modern-day Anderson Tower) at approximately 11:00 p.m.
He had just told the occupants that he was going to take them to the police station when one of the men opened fire, striking him once.
Despite being mortally wounded, Watchman Self returned fire and wounded the suspect twice. The suspect, who was a student at the university, was taken into custody the following morning after he sought treatment for his wounds at the local hospital.
The 21-year-old suspect, who claimed Watchman Self fired first, was tried and acquitted.
Watchman Self had served with the University of Kentucky Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-32D83ECA- 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.
Night Watchman Self gave the University of Kentucky Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Self.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman Joseph M. Self 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. Joseph M. Self's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph M. Self Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph M. Self is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph M. Self was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.