Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Columbus Partin was shot and killed while participating in a liquor raid with deputies from Bell County, Knox County, and federal prohibition agents.
Two brothers were arrested and charged with his murder. They were subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison. A few days after their conviction they escaped from the county jail and remained at large for more than six years. They were captured in Oklahoma on December 10, 1927.
Deputy Partin, who was also a justice of the peace, had been sworn in as a deputy only six hours before being murdered.
Deputy Partin was survived by his wife and is buried in Chenoa Cemetery, Chenoa, Bell County, Kentucky.
Survivors
Deputy Partin was survived by his wife and is buried in Chenoa Cemetery, Chenoa, Bell County, Kentucky.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-80232EB7- 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 Partin served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Partin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Columbus Partin 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 Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Columbus Partin's cause is highlighted.
How Columbus Partin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Columbus Partin is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Columbus Partin was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
