Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Eldridge was shot and killed along Baily Creek in Evarts while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public.
The man opened fire on Deputy Eldridge, killing him. Deputy Eldridge's son returned fire and killed the subject.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-4E2AC983- 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 Eldridge 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 Eldridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Walter Eldridge 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. Walter Eldridge's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Eldridge Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Eldridge is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Eldridge was killed by gun; unknown type.
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.
