Roll of Honor
Incident
Coroner Lyle Mathews was shot and killed while he, the deputy coroner, and county jailer attempted to evict two brothers from a farm that had recently been sold to pay off a debt.
The brothers told the officers they would be shot if they came onto the farm. The officers ignored the threat and as they approached the house the brothers opened fire, killing Coroner Mathews and wounding the deputy coroner.
The other officers were able to take the two brothers and their sister into custody and charged with murder.
Coroner Mathews had been appointed to the office only one month earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7D01C269- 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.
Coroner Mathews served with the Taylor County Coroner's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Campbellsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Coroner Mathews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Coroner Lyle G. Mathews 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. Lyle G. Mathews's cause is highlighted.
How Lyle G. Mathews Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lyle G. Mathews is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lyle G. Mathews was killed by gun; unknown type.