Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Petry as well as Captain Ralph Frasure and Police Officer Jacob Chaffins, both of the Prestonsburg Police Department, were shot and killed in Allen by a subject who was wanted for domestic violence offenses.
Several warrants and a protective order had been issued for the man after he assaulted a family member. As two Floyd County deputies arrived at the man's home on Main Street, near Railroad Avenue, to serve the warrants, the man opened fire. Numerous jurisdictions responded to assist following the initial shooting. The man fired hundreds of rounds from prepositioned firearms throughout the home.
Deputy Petry and Captain Frasure were killed during the incident. Officer Chaffins succumbed to his wounds the following day. Three other law enforcement officers and the director of emergency management were wounded.
K9 Drago, also of the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, was also killed in the incident.
The subject was taken into custody after remaining barricaded in the home for several hours. He was charged with multiple counts of murder of a police officer, attempted murder of a police officer, and assaulting a service animal. He committed suicide while in custody.
Deputy Petry had served with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office for two years. He had previously retired after having served for 14 years with the Prestonsburg Police Department and 15 years with the Kentucky State Police.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, two grandchildren, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-86A0FC75- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
31 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Petry gave the Floyd County Sheriff's Office 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Prestonsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Petry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Edward Petry is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Floyd County Sheriff's Office, 11 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 91.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Edward Petry's cause is highlighted.
How William Edward Petry Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Edward Petry is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Edward Petry was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Floyd County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
