Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Cable was shot and killed by a prisoner he had arrested for disorderly conduct.
As Deputy Cable drove the suspect to jail, they stopped at a service station after the man had requested to use the bathroom. The man was taking an unusually long time, and when Deputy Cable went to check on him, the man opened fire. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Cable returned fire.
The 22-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in December 1940.
Deputy Cable was appointed to the Pike County Sheriff's Office, assigned to Shelby Gap in November 1939.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, four brothers, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-34EF6107- 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 Cable served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cable.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John F. Cable 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 Pike County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Cable's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Cable Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Cable is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Cable was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
