James B. Jasper

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department — Somerset, KY

Felonious

End of Watch July 3, 1952

Age 63

The Vigil Panel 88 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Sheriff James Jasper was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two bootleggers. He was shot twice as he approached their car. Both suspects were arrested. One, 28, the gunman, was convicted of willful murder and sentenced to 16 years. The other suspect, 23, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years. He was paroled in 1959. Sheriff Jasper had served in law enforcement for 25 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-706F1C9D
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.
Sheriff Jasper served with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Jasper.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

Location Somerset, KY

Platform Identity pcso.pulaski.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 3, 1952

Age 63

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Not available

Sheriff James B. Jasper 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 Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

of 9 officers

88.9% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious