Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Hensley and Sheriff Floyd Ball were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest three men who had just crashed their car through a barricade onto a newly-constructed highway 12 miles west of Harlan. The suspects opened fire on the officers as they exited their patrol car and then shot Deputy Hensley several more times as he lay on the ground. All three suspects were captured the next day after their car was found overturned one mile from the crime scene. The owners were traced through the license plate information. Two suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison. One was pardoned by Governor Ruby Laffoon on November 29th, 1933, after the jury in the trial asked for his release. A third suspect was acquitted.
Survivors
Deputy Hensley was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-5E971B3A- 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 Hensley 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 Hensley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John J. Hensley 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. John J. Hensley's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Hensley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 21 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Hensley is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Hensley 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.
