Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff W.H. Carter was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public in the streets of Neon, Kentucky.
During the arrest, the man pulled out a pistol and shot Deputy Carter twice before the pistol jammed. The man disarmed Deputy Carter after struggling with him. He then shot Deputy Carter several more times. Several of the shots penetrated a steel breastplate that Deputy Carter was wearing.
The subject was arrested by a Neon police officer. He was acquitted of Deputy Carter's murder in May 1929.
Deputy Carter had previously served as a magistrate in the Jenkins District.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-700FD4E8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Carter served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Whitesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Carter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff W. H. Carter is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 22.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Letcher County Sheriff's Office, 16 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. H. Carter's cause is highlighted.
How W. H. Carter Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. H. Carter is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Letcher County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
