Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Wilburn Taylor was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men who were drinking in Layman, Kentucky.
The men shot Deputy Taylor nine times. Despite the wounds, he was able to return fire and wounded one of the men. The suspects were never held accountable for Deputy Taylor's murder.
Deputy Taylor also served as a school teacher.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-78DCFDD4- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Taylor 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 Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Wilburn Taylor 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. Wilburn Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How Wilburn Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilburn Taylor is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilburn Taylor 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.
