Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Green Gambrel was shot and killed while attempting to serve an attachment to the owner of a general store in Flat Lick.
He was opening the door to the store when the owner shot him in the chest with a shotgun, killing in instantly.
The store owner was arrested, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to 15 years. He was pardoned by Governor William J. Fields on December 12, 1927. Governor Fields was accused by several government officials of abusing his pardon powers.
Constable Green had been shot in the line of duty and almost killed several years earlier. He had initially been pronounced dead, placed in a casket, and his wake was in progress when he suddenly started showing signs of life. He eventually made a full recovery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7A1AECDB- 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.
Constable Gambrel served with the Knox County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Barbourville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Gambrel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Green Gambrel 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 Knox County Constable's Office, 4 of 4 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. Green Gambrel's cause is highlighted.
How Green Gambrel Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1927
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Green Gambrel is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Green Gambrel was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Knox County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
