Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Wooton was shot and killed after an election dispute near Big Creek.
Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Wooton was able to return fire and fatally wounded the suspect.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-66A5F5DE- 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 Wooton served with the Leslie County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hyden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wooton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Wooton 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 Leslie 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wooton's cause is highlighted.
How John Wooton Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wooton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wooton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Leslie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
