Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Estill Adkins was shot and killed as he and two deputies attempted to arrest a 49-year-old man wanted for cutting another man's throat earlier in the day.
The sheriff and deputies had gone to Rocky Branch, where they encountered the suspect. The man opened fire on the officers, killing Sheriff Adkins, before being wounded by return fire. He was arrested, convicted of Sheriff Adkins' murder, and sentenced to life.
Sheriff Adkins had served as sheriff of Elliott County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-818E650A- 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.
Sheriff Adkins gave the Elliott County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sandy Hook community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Adkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Estill Adkins 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. Estill Adkins's cause is highlighted.
How Estill Adkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Estill Adkins is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Estill Adkins was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Elliott County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
