Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Green Watkins was shot and killed as he and a posse searched for a still.
The posse was ambushed by several moonshiners. Deputy Watkins and a 14-year-old boy were killed and another deputy was wounded in the shootout. Two men were eventually arrested and charged with murder, but several trials ended in hung juries and it is unknown if they were ever convicted.
The primary suspect in Deputy Green's murder was located by a posse along Ball's Creek, in Perry County, on March 1st, 1922. He was shot and killed when he opened fire on the officers.
Deputy Sheriff Watkins was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Deputy Sheriff Watkins was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-7E3ABD3A- 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 Watkins served with the Breathitt County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Watkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Green Watkins 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 Breathitt County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Green Watkins's cause is highlighted.
How Green Watkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Green Watkins is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Green Watkins was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Breathitt County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
