Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Binion was shot and killed from ambush while walking near his farm.
He was waiting to meet another deputy before leaving for the federal courthouse in Cattletsburg, Kentucky, to obtain a warrant against several moonshining suspects. It is believed he was shot by one of the suspects in revenge for his work as a deputy.
The suspects were never apprehended.
Deputy Binion had served with the Elliott County Sheriff's Office for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 13 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-80659645- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Binion gave the Elliott County Sheriff's Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Sandy Hook community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Binion.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Henry Binion 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 Elliott County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. John Henry Binion's cause is highlighted.
How John Henry Binion Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Henry Binion is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Henry Binion was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Elliott County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.