Jerry Combs
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Jerry Combs

Felonious
End of Watch February 5, 1940
Age 49
The Vigil Panel 76 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Jerry Combs was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men who were creating a disturbance at the Federal Surplus Commodities Office.

Both men were arrested and charged with murder. The 26-year-old shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on July 18, 1946.

Deputy Combs was survived by his wife and eight children.

Survivors

Deputy Combs was survived by his wife and eight children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-6463D6D3
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 Combs served with the Breathitt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Combs.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Jackson, KY
Platform Identity bcso.mercer.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 5, 1940
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Paroled in 1946

Deputy Sheriff Jerry Combs 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 Breathitt County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

Breathitt County Sheriff's Office
9
of 10 officers
90% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jerry Combs's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Jerry Combs Compares

Age at End of Watch
49
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1946

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerry Combs is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jerry Combs was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518