Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Nicholas Hopperton was shot and killed by a man he was attempting to throw out of town for being drunk. As the marshal escorted the man to the town line the man suddenly opened fire with his shotgun, striking Marshal Hopperton in the stomach. As Marshal Hopperton fell he fired two shots from his revolver, wounding the suspect. The suspect and Marshal Hopperton then fired at each other again. Marshal Hopperton was fatally wounded. The suspect was seriously wounded, but recovered from his wound. He was tried for Marshal Hopperton's murder but was acquitted at trial after claiming self defense. Marshal Hopperton had served with the agency for 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7B818525- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Marshal Hopperton gave the Independence Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Independence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Hopperton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Nicholas Hopperton 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas Hopperton's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas Hopperton Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas Hopperton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas Hopperton was killed by gun; unknown type.