Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Coffey was shot and killed while pursuing a group of miners who had just shot at another group of miners at the Empire Coal Company in Christian County.
Union miners were involved in a violent picket while on strike at the mine. The union miners had set up a camp at Nortonville and conducted raids on the nonunion miners. Early in the morning, one of the raiding parties of union miners opened fire on a mine guard, shooting at him over 30 times from an ambush set up in the treeline.
Hearing the shots, Deputy Coffey obtained a horse and gave chase to a buggy that was leaving the area. A short distance away, the buggy stopped, and one of the occupants set up an ambush along the road. As Deputy Coffey approached the buggy, he was shot and killed.
Four men were eventually arrested for his murder. Two of the men were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. On December 12, 1906, both were pardoned by Governor Beckham after all the jurors in the case signed a petition asking for their release.
Deputy Coffey had served with the Christian County Sheriff's Office for one year and previously served with the L&N Railroad as a detective.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-887D9E2F- Stewardship
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- 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 Coffey gave the Christian County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hopkinsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Coffey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert H. Coffey 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert H. Coffey's cause is highlighted.
How Robert H. Coffey Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1906
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert H. Coffey is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert H. Coffey was killed by gun; unknown type.