Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Middleton was shot and killed by a man who was collecting snakes to use at an upcoming church service.
Kentucky law prohibited snake handling at church services. When Deputy Middleton confronted the man about his activities he was shot and killed. The subject who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. Another man who provided the gun was charged an accessory to murder.
Two months later the 30-year-killer, ex-convict turned minister, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
This story is not correct. I am the great niece of John Middleton. He died in front of the Evarts Drug Store, not in Kenvir. My dad, his nephew, was 8 years old at the time and was in the vehicle with John when he was shot in the head. The gunman also tried to shoot my dad, but the gun didn’t go off. The gunman then ran into the drug store and bragged that he had shot John Middleton and said he tried to shoot “that kid” but the gun wouldn’t go off. He then fired the gun and it went off in the drug store. He went to jail then and was convicted of John’s murder. I have the original Harlan Daily Enterprise article on it and my dad was a living witness. Several other witnesses there recounted this same story to me, after I was grown. Thank you for honoring him, but please correct this article, as this is part of Harlan County, KY history.
Celia Barley Joyce Great Niece of John Middleton November 25th, 2021
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- 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 Middleton served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Middleton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Middleton 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 Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Middleton's cause is highlighted.
How John Middleton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Middleton is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Middleton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
