Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Jesse Dills was shot and killed by a former county constable who held a grudge against the officer for a previous arrest. Officer Dills had previously arrested the constable for being drunk in public.
Officer Dills was on duty and had gone into a local pool hall on Main Street to get a cup of coffee. As he did so, the suspect and the county jailer, who had been drinking, waited for him to exit. When Officer Dills came out of the pool hall, he observed the two intoxicated men and approached them to arrest them. The former constable immediately opened fire. Officer Dills returned fire, striking the suspect. The county jailer also opened fire on Officer Dills, striking him twice.
Officer Dills died in the street. The former constable was taken to a local hospital where he died that night. The county jailer was charged with Officer Dills' murder but was acquitted after two trials.
Officer Dills was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Officer Dills was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-364D7030- 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.
Police Officer Dills served with the Paintsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paintsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jesse B. Dills 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 Paintsville Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Jesse B. Dills's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse B. Dills Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse B. Dills is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse B. Dills was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Paintsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
