Roll of Honor
Incident
Turnkey Joe Tuggle was shot and killed by a prisoner in the Whitley County Jail as he brought the man out of his cell to talk to a visitor.
The prisoner suddenly grabbed Turnkey Tuggle's pistol from its holster and shot him twice, killing him. The suspect escaped from the jail but was arrested seven hours later after a bloodhound tracked him to a mountain 15 miles from the jail.
The 21-year-old prisoner, who was awaiting transfer to the state penitentiary to begin serving a 21 year sentence for robbing a gas station, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1945 Governor Simeon S. Willis commuted his sentence to life. He was paroled July 15, 1954.
Turnkey Tuggle was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Turnkey Tuggle was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-6C43AEBD- Stewardship
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- 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.
Turnkey Tuggle served with the Whitley County Detention Center.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Turnkey Tuggle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Turnkey Joe R. Tuggle 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe R. Tuggle's cause is highlighted.
How Joe R. Tuggle Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1954
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe R. Tuggle is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe R. Tuggle was killed by officer's handgun.