Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Gooch was shot and killed by a drunk man.
The man who shot him fled the county and was never apprehended. The man's brother was convicted of manslaughter and a second accomplice was acquitted.
Deputy Gooch had served with the Livingston County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3490EA49- 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
219 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Gooch gave the Livingston County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Smithland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John A. Gooch 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 Livingston County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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 A. Gooch's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Gooch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Gooch is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Gooch was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Livingston County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
