Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal John Simpson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three men who were firing their weapons in town along Second Street.
Marshal Simpson had advised the men that they could continue having fun, but could not fire the guns in town. The group moved down Second Street and then began to fire again. When Marshal Simpson and another officer attempted to arrest them they were both shot. Marshal Simpson was killed and the other officer, as well as a citizen, were wounded.
Three subjects were charged with Marshal Simpson's murder. Charges were dismissed against one and the other two were pardoned by the governor before their trials were held.
Marshal Simpson was a widower and survived by six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-40DD32CA- 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
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Simpson served with the Danville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal John R. Simpson 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 Danville Police 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 R. Simpson's cause is highlighted.
How John R. Simpson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John R. Simpson is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Danville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
