Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Clifton Arnsparger was shot and killed and another deputy was wounded when a man they attempted to question about a theft suddenly produced a pistol and opened fire. The 25-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. After a second trial he was sentenced to life. He received an additional two years for shooting the other deputy. He was paroled August 18, 1953. On May 10, 1961, he was shot and mortally wounded by two state troopers in Breathitt County after he fired at them when they attempted to arrest him for malicious shooting. He died a week later.
Survivors
Deputy Arnsparger was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-6AB051AA- 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 Arnsparger served with the Bourbon County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Arnsparger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Clifton F. Arnsparger 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 Bourbon County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifton F. Arnsparger's cause is highlighted.
How Clifton F. Arnsparger Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1953
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifton F. Arnsparger is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifton F. Arnsparger was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bourbon County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
