Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Bill Atkins was shot and killed from ambush as he returned to his home, near Four Mile, following his shift guarding a local mine.
Two men, who were brothers, were seen running from the scene and arrested a short time later. Deputy Atkins had shot and killed the men's nephew several months earlier while attempting to arrest him and it was believed they shot him in revenge.
Both men were charged with murdering Deputy Atkins. One was later acquitted. The outcome of the trial for the second suspect is not known.
Deputy Atkins was survived by his wife and several children.
Survivors
Deputy Atkins was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-83869DB3- 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 Atkins 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 Atkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bill Atkins 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. Bill Atkins's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Atkins Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Atkins is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Atkins was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
