Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Carnes succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 11 days earlier when he and a deputy constable were ambushed outside of a dance hall in the mining community of Laurel.
Despite being struck by buckshot and pistol fire, Deputy Carnes returned fire. The deputy constable who was with him was also wounded but survived.
Two brothers, ages 25 and 33, were arrested for murder but quickly released. The 33-year-old was killed in an automobile accident four years later.
Deputy Carnes was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Carnes was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-344F2C63- 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 Carnes served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Carnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John C. Carnes 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 Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 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. John C. Carnes's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Carnes Compares
Offender Outcome
Charges dropped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Carnes is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Carnes was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
