Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Boyle was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for disorderly conduct near the intersection of Market Street and Fourth Street.
The subject had become drunk at a nearby saloon and refused Patrolman Boyle's request to leave the area after he came onto the street. The man shot Patrolman Boyle three times after being struck by the policeman's club.
Charges against the man were dismissed based on a self defense claim. The man committed suicide six years later as a direct result of the shooting.
Patrolman Boyle had served with the Louisville Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7612F64A- 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
139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Boyle gave the Louisville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph Boyle 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 Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Boyle's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Boyle Compares
Offender Outcome
Charges dismissed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Boyle is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Boyle was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
